Unit 6
Equilibrium
After studying this unit you will be
able to
• identify dynamic nature of
equilibrium involved in physical
and chemical processes;
• state the law of equilibrium;
• explain characteristics of
equilibria involved in physical
and chemical processes;
• write expressions for equilibrium
constants;
• establish a relationship between
Kp and Kc;
• explain various factors that
affect the equilibrium state of a
reaction;
• classify substances as acids or
bases according to Arrhenius,
Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis
concepts;
• classify acids and bases as
weak or strong in terms of their
ionization constants;
• explain the dependence of degree
of ionization on concentration
of the electrolyte and that of the
common ion;
• describe pH scale for representing
hydrogen ion concentration;
• explain ionisation of water and
its duel role as acid and base;
• describe ionic product (Kw ) and
pKw for water;
• appreciate use of buffer
solutions;
• calculate solubility product
constant.
Unit 6.indd 168
Chemical equilibria are important in numerous biological
and environmental processes. For example, equilibria
involving O2 molecules and the protein hemoglobin play
a crucial role in the transport and delivery of O2 from
our lungs to our muscles. Similar equilibria involving CO
molecules and hemoglobin account for the toxicity of CO.
When a liquid evaporates in a closed container,
molecules with relatively higher kinetic energy escape
the liquid surface into the vapour phase and number of
liquid molecules from the vapour phase strike the liquid
surface and are retained in the liquid phase. It gives rise
to a constant vapour pressure because of an equilibrium in
which the number of molecules leaving the liquid equals the
number returning to liquid from the vapour. We say that
the system has reached equilibrium state at this stage.
However, this is not static equilibrium and there is a lot of
activity at the boundary between the liquid and the vapour.
Thus, at equilibrium, the rate of evaporation is equal to the
rate of condensation. It may be represented by
H2O (l) H2O (vap)
The double half arrows indicate that the processes
in both the directions are going on simultaneously. The
mixture of reactants and products in the equilibrium state
is called an equilibrium mixture.
Equilibrium can be established for both physical
processes and chemical reactions. The reaction may be
fast or slow depending on the experimental conditions and
the nature of the reactants. When the reactants in a closed
vessel at a particular temperature react to give products,
the concentrations of the reactants keep on decreasing,
while those of products keep on increasing for some time
after which there is no change in the concentrations
of either of the reactants or products. This stage of the
system is the dynamic equilibrium and the rates of the
forward and reverse reactions become equal. It is due to
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 EQUILIBRIUM
this dynamic equilibrium stage that there is
no change in the concentrations of various
species in the reaction mixture. Based on the
extent to which the reactions proceed to reach
the state of chemical equilibrium, these may
be classified in three groups.
(i) The reactions that proceed nearly
to completion and only negligible
concentrations of the reactants are
left. In some cases, it may not be even
possible to detect these experimentally.
(ii) The reactions in which only small
amounts of products are formed and
most of the reactants remain unchanged
at equilibrium stage.
(iii) The reactions in which the concentrations
of the reactants and products are
comparable, when the system is in
equilibrium.
The extent of a reaction in equilibrium
varies with the experimental conditions such
as concentrations of reactants, temperature,
etc. Optimisation of the operational conditions
is very important in industry and laboratory
so that equilibrium is favorable in the
direction of the desired product. Some
important aspects of equilibrium involving
physical and chemical processes are dealt in
this unit along with the equilibrium involving
ions in aqueous solutions which is called as
ionic equilibrium.
6.1 E Q U IL IBRI U M IN P H Y S I C A L
PROCESSES
The characteristics of system at equilibrium
are better understood if we examine some
physical processes. The most familiar examples
are phase transformation processes, e.g.,
solid liquid
liquid gas
solid gas
6.1.1 Solid-Liquid Equilibrium
Ice and water kept in a perfectly insulated
thermos flask (no exchange of heat between its
contents and the surroundings) at 273K and
the atmospheric pressure are in equilibrium
state and the system shows interesting
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Unit 6.indd 169
169
characteristic features. We observe that the
mass of ice and water do not change with
time and the temperature remains constant.
However, the equilibrium is not static.
The intense activity can be noticed at the
boundary between ice and water. Molecules
from the liquid water collide against ice and
adhere to it and some molecules of ice escape
into liquid phase. There is no change of mass
of ice and water, as the rates of transfer of
molecules from ice into water and of reverse
transfer from water into ice are equal at
atmospheric pressure and 273 K.
It is obvious that ice and water are in
equilibrium only at particular temperature
and pressure. For any pure substance at
atmospheric pressure, the temperature at
which the solid and liquid phases are at
equilibrium is called the normal melting point
or normal freezing point of the substance. The
system here is in dynamic equilibrium and we
can infer the following:
(i) Both the opposing processes occur
simultaneously.
(ii) Both the processes occur at the same
rate so that the amount of ice and water
remains constant.
6.1.2 Liquid-Vapour Equilibrium
This equilibrium can be better understood if
we consider the example of a transparent box
carrying a U-tube with mercury (manometer).
Drying agent like anhydrous calcium chloride
(or phosphorus penta-oxide) is placed for
a few hours in the box. After removing the
drying agent by tilting the box on one side, a
watch glass (or petri dish) containing water
is quickly placed inside the box. It will be
observed that the mercury level in the right
limb of the manometer slowly increases and
finally attains a constant value, that is, the
pressure inside the box increases and reaches
a constant value. Also the volume of water in
the watch glass decreases (Fig. 6.1). Initially
there was no water vapour (or very less) inside
the box. As water evaporated the pressure in
the box increased due to addition of water
molecules into the gaseous phase inside
the box. The rate of evaporation is constant.
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 170
Fig. 6.1 Measuring equilibrium vapour pressure of water at a constant temperature
However, the rate of increase in pressure
decreases with time due to condensation
of vapour into water. Finally it leads to an
equilibrium condition when there is no net
evaporation. This implies that the number
of water molecules from the gaseous state
into the liquid state also increases till the
equilibrium is attained i.e.,
rate of evaporation= rate of condensation
H2O(l) H2O (vap)
At equilibrium the pressure exerted by
the water molecules at a given temperature
remains constant and is called the equilibrium
vapour pressure of water (or just vapour
pressure of water); vapour pressure of water
increases with temperature. If the above
experiment is repeated with methyl alcohol,
acetone and ether, it is observed that different
liquids have different equilibrium vapour
pressures at the same temperature, and the
liquid which has a higher vapour pressure is
more volatile and has a lower boiling point.
If we expose three watch glasses containing
separately 1mL each of acetone, ethyl alcohol,
and water to atmosphere and repeat the
experiment with different volumes of the
liquids in a warmer room, it is observed
that in all such cases the liquid eventually
disappears and the time taken for complete
evaporation depends on (i) the nature of the
liquid, (ii) the amount of the liquid and (iii) the
temperature. When the watch glass is open
to the atmosphere, the rate of evaporation
remains constant but the molecules are
dispersed into large volume of the room. As
a consequence the rate of condensation from
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Unit 6.indd 170
chemistry
vapour to liquid state is much less than the
rate of evaporation. These are open systems
and it is not possible to reach equilibrium in
an open system.
Water and water vapour are in equilibrium
position at atmospheric pressure (1.013 bar)
and at 100°C in a closed vessel. The boiling
point of water is 100°C at 1.013 bar pressure.
For any pure liquid at one atmospheric
pressure (1.013 bar), the temperature
at which the liquid and vapours are at
equilibrium is called normal boiling point of
the liquid. Boiling point of the liquid depends
on the atmospheric pressure. It depends on
the altitude of the place; at high altitude the
boiling point decreases.
6.1.3 Solid – Vapour Equilibrium
Let us now consider the systems where solids
sublime to vapour phase. If we place solid
iodine in a closed vessel, after sometime
the vessel gets filled up with violet vapour
and the intensity of colour increases with
time. After certain time the intensity of
colour becomes constant and at this stage
equilibrium is attained. Hence solid iodine
sublimes to give iodine vapour and the iodine
vapour condenses to give solid iodine. The
equilibrium can be represented as,
I2(solid) I2 (vapour)
Other examples showing this kind of
equilibrium are,
Camphor (solid) Camphor (vapour)
NH4Cl (solid) NH4Cl (vapour)
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 EQUILIBRIUM 171

6.1.4 Equilibrium Involving Dissolution pressure of the gas above the solvent.
of Solid or Gases in Liquids This amount decreases with increase of
Solids in liquids temperature. The soda water bottle is sealed
under pressure of gas when its solubility in
We know from our experience that we can
water is high. As soon as the bottle is opened,
dissolve only a limited amount of salt or
some of the dissolved carbon dioxide gas
sugar in a given amount of water at room
escapes to reach a new equilibrium condition
temperature. If we make a thick sugar syrup
required for the lower pressure, namely its
solution by dissolving sugar at a higher
partial pressure in the atmosphere. This is
temperature, sugar crystals separate out if we
how the soda water in bottle when left open
cool the syrup to the room temperature. We call
to the air for some time, turns ‘flat’. It can be
it a saturated solution when no more of solute
generalised that:
can be dissolved in it at a given temperature.
The concentration of the solute in a saturated (i) For solid liquid equilibrium, there is
solution depends upon the temperature. In only one temperature (melting point) at
a saturated solution, a dynamic equilibrium 1 atm (1.013 bar) at which the two
exits between the solute molecules in the solid phases can coexist. If there is no
state and in the solution: exchange of heat with the surroundings,
the mass of the two phases remains
Sugar (solution) Sugar (solid), and
constant.
the rate of dissolution of sugar = rate of
crystallisation of sugar. (ii) For liquid vapour equilibrium, the
vapour pressure is constant at a given
Equality of the two rates and dynamic
temperature.
nature of equilibrium has been confirmed with
the help of radioactive sugar. If we drop some (iii) For dissolution of solids in liquids,
radioactive sugar into saturated solution of the solubility is constant at a given
non-radioactive sugar, then after some time temperature.
radioactivity is observed both in the solution (iv) For dissolution of gases in liquids,
and in the solid sugar. Initially there were no the concentration of a gas in liquid
radioactive sugar molecules in the solution is proportional to the pressure
but due to dynamic nature of equilibrium, (concentration) of the gas over the liquid.
there is exchange between the radioactive These observations are summarised in
and non-radioactive sugar molecules between Table 6.1
the two phases. The ratio of the radioactive Table 6.1 Some Features of Physical Equilibria
to non-radioactive molecules in the solution
increases till it attains a constant value. Process Conclusion
Liquid Vapour p H 2O constant at given
Gases in liquids temperature
H2O (l) H2O (g)
When a soda water bottle is opened, some of
Solid Liquid Melting point is fixed at
the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in it fizzes constant pressure
out rapidly. The phenomenon arises due H2O (s) H2O (l)
to difference in solubility of carbon dioxide Solute(s) Solute Concentration of solute
at different pressures. There is equilibrium (solution) in solution is constant
between the molecules in the gaseous state Sugar(s) Sugar at a given temperature
and the molecules dissolved in the liquid (solution)
under pressure i.e.,
Gas(g) Gas (aq) [gas(aq)]/[gas(g)] is
CO2 (gas) CO2 (in solution) constant at a given
This equilibrium is governed by Henry’s temperature
CO2(g) CO2(aq)
law, which states that the mass of a gas [CO2(aq)]/[CO2(g)] is
dissolved in a given mass of a solvent at constant at a given
any temperature is proportional to the temperature

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 172
6.1.5 General Characteristics of
Equilibria Involving Physical
Processes
For the physical processes discussed above,
following characteristics are common to the
system at equilibrium:
(i) Equilibrium is possible only in a closed
system at a given temperature.
(ii) Both the opposing processes occur at
the same rate and there is a dynamic
but stable condition.
(iii) All measurable properties of the system
remain constant.
(iv) When equilibrium is attained for a
physical process, it is characterised by
constant value of one of its parameters
at a given temperature. Table 6.1 lists
such quantities.
(v) The magnitude of such quantities at any
stage indicates the extent to which the
physical process has proceeded before
reaching equilibrium.
6.2 EQUILIBRIUM IN CHEMICAL
PROCESSES – DYNAMIC
EQUILIBRIUM
Analogous to the physical systems chemical
reactions also attain a state of equilibrium.
These reactions can occur both in forward
and backward directions. When the rates of
the forward and reverse reactions become
equal, the concentrations of the reactants
and the products remain constant. This
is the stage of chemical equilibrium. This
equilibrium is dynamic in nature as it consists
of a forward reaction in which the reactants
give product(s) and reverse reaction in which
product(s) gives the original reactants.
For a better comprehension, let us consider
a general case of a reversible reaction,
A+B C+D
With passage of time, there is
accumulation of the products C and D and
depletion of the reactants A and B (Fig. 6.2).
This leads to a decrease in the rate of
forward reaction and an increase in the rate
of the reverse reaction,
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Unit 6.indd 172
chemistry
Fig. 6.2 Attainment of chemical equilibrium.
Eventually, the two reactions occur at the
same rate and the system reaches a state of
equilibrium.
Similarly, the reaction can reach the state
of equilibrium even if we start with only C and
D; that is, no A and B being present initially,
as the equilibrium can be reached from either
direction.
The dynamic nature of chemical
equilibrium can be demonstrated in the
synthesis of ammonia by Haber’s process.
In a series of experiments, Haber started
with known amounts of dinitrogen and
dihydrogen maintained at high temperature
and pressure and at regular intervals
determined the amount of ammonia present.
He was successful in determining also the
concentration of unreacted dihydrogen and
dinitrogen. Fig. 6.4 (page 174) shows that after
a certain time the composition of the mixture
remains the same even though some of the
reactants are still present. This constancy in
composition indicates that the reaction has
reached equilibrium. In order to understand
the dynamic nature of the reaction, synthesis
of ammonia is carried out with exactly the
same starting conditions (of partial pressure
and temperature) but using D2 (deuterium)
in place of H2. The reaction mixtures starting
either with H2 or D2 reach equilibrium with
the same composition, except that D2 and
ND3 are present instead of H2 and NH3. After
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 EQUILIBRIUM 173

Dynamic Equilibrium – A Student’s Activity

Equilibrium whether in a physical or in a chemical system, is always of dynamic nature. This can
be demonstrated by the use of radioactive isotopes. This is not feasible in a school laboratory.
However this concept can be easily comprehended by performing the following activity. The activity
can be performed in a group of 5 or 6 students.
Take two 100mL measuring cylinders (marked as 1 and 2) and two glass tubes each of
30 cm length. Diameter of the tubes may be same or different in the range of 3-5mm. Fill
nearly half of the measuring cylinder-1 with coloured water (for this purpose add a crystal
of potassium permanganate to water) and keep second cylinder (number 2) empty.
Put one tube in cylinder 1 and second in cylinder 2. Immerse one tube in cylinder 1,
close its upper tip with a finger and transfer the coloured water contained in its lower portion to
cylinder 2. Using second tube, kept in 2nd cylinder, transfer the coloured water in a similar manner
from cylinder 2 to cylinder 1. In this way keep on transferring coloured water using the two glass
tubes from cylinder 1 to 2 and from 2 to 1 till you notice that the level of coloured water in both
the cylinders becomes constant.
If you continue intertransferring coloured solution between the cylinders, there will not be
any further change in the levels of coloured water in two cylinders. If we take analogy of ‘level’ of
coloured water with ‘concentration’ of reactants and products in the two cylinders, we can say
the process of transfer, which continues even after the constancy of level, is indicative of dynamic
nature of the process. If we repeat the experiment taking two tubes of different diameters we find
that at equilibrium the level of coloured water in two cylinders is different. How far diameters are
responsible for change in levels in two cylinders? Empty cylinder (2) is an indicator of no product
in it at the beginning.

1 2 1 2

(a) (b)
Fig.6.3 Demonstrating dynamic nature of equilibrium. (a) initial stage (b) final stage after the
equilibrium is attained.

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 174 chemistry

2NH3(g) N2(g) + 3H2(g)

Similarly let us consider the reaction,
H 2 (g) + I 2 (g) 2HI(g). If we start with
equal initial concentration of H2 and I2, the
reaction proceeds in the forward direction
and the concentration of H2 and I2 decreases
while that of HI increases, until all of these
become constant at equilibrium (Fig. 6.5). We
can also start with HI alone and make the
reaction to proceed in the reverse direction;
the concentration of HI will decrease and
concentration of H2 and I2 will increase until
they all become constant when equilibrium is
reached (Fig. 6.5). If total number of H and I
atoms are same in a given volume, the same
equilibrium mixture is obtained whether we
Fig. 6.4 Depiction of equilibrium for the reaction
start it from pure reactants or pure product.
N 2  g   3H 2  g  2NH3  g 

equilibrium is attained, these two mixtures

(H 2, N 2, NH 3 and D 2, N 2, ND 3) are mixed
together and left for a while. Later, when
this mixture is analysed, it is found that the
concentration of ammonia is just the same
as before. However, when this mixture is
analysed by a mass spectrometer, it is found
that ammonia and all deuterium containing
forms of ammonia (NH3, NH2D, NHD2 and
ND3) and dihydrogen and its deutrated forms
(H2, HD and D2) are present. Thus one can
conclude that scrambling of H and D atoms in
the molecules must result from a continuation
of the forward and reverse reactions in the
mixture. If the reaction had simply stopped
Fig. 6.5 Chemical equilibrium in the reaction H2(g)
when they reached equilibrium, then there
+ I2(g) 2HI(g) can be attained from
would have been no mixing of isotopes in either direction
this way.
6.3 LAW OF CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Use of isotope (deuterium) in the formation AND EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT
of ammonia clearly indicates that chemical
A mixture of reactants and products in the
reactions reach a state of dynamic
equilibrium state is called an equilibrium
equilibrium in which the rates of forward
mixture. In this section we shall address a
and reverse reactions are equal and there
number of important questions about the
is no net change in composition.
composition of equilibrium mixtures: What is
Equilibrium can be attained from both the relationship between the concentrations
sides, whether we start reaction by taking, of reactants and products in an equilibrium
H2(g) and N2(g) and get NH3(g) or by taking mixture? How can we determine equilibrium
NH3(g) and decomposing it into N2(g) and H2(g). concentrations from initial concentrations?
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) What factors can be exploited to alter the

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 EQUILIBRIUM
composition of an equilibrium mixture? The
last question in particular is important when
choosing conditions for synthesis of industrial
chemicals such as H2, NH3, CaO etc.
To answer these questions, let us consider
a general reversible reaction:
A+B C+D
where A and B are the reactants, C and D
are the products in the balanced chemical
equation. On the basis of experimental studies
of many reversible reactions, the Norwegian
chemists Cato Maximillian Guldberg and
Peter Waage proposed in 1864 that the
concentrations in an equilibrium mixture
are related by the following equilibrium
equation,
Kc 
CD         (6.1)
 A  B 
(6.1) where Kc is the equilibrium constant and
the expression on the right side is called the
equilibrium constant expression.
The equilibrium equation is also known as
the law of mass action because in the early
days of chemistry, concentration was called
“active mass”. In order to appreciate their
work better, let us consider reaction between
gaseous H2 and I2 carried out in a sealed vessel
at 731K.
H2(g) + I2(g)   2HI(g)
1 mol 1 mol 2 mol
Table 6.2 Initial and Equilibrium Concentrations of H2, I2 and HI
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Unit 6.indd 175
175
Six sets of experiments with varying initial
conditions were performed, starting with only
gaseous H2 and I2 in a sealed reaction vessel
in first four experiments (1, 2, 3 and 4) and
only HI in other two experiments (5 and 6).
Experiment 1, 2, 3 and 4 were performed
taking different concentrations of H2 and / or
I2, and with time it was observed that intensity
of the purple colour remained constant and
equilibrium was attained. Similarly, for
experiments 5 and 6, the equilibrium was
attained from the opposite direction.
Data obtained from all six sets of
experiments are given in Table 6.2.
It is evident from the experiments 1, 2,
3 and 4 that number of moles of dihydrogen
reacted = number of moles of iodine reacted
= ½ (number of moles of HI formed). Also,
experiments 5 and 6 indicate that,
[H2(g)]eq = [I2(g)]eq
Knowing the above facts, in order
to establish a relationship between
concentrations of the reactants and products,
several combinations can be tried. Let us
consider the simple expression,
[HI(g)]eq / [H2(g)]eq [I2(g)]eq
It can be seen from Table 6.3 that if we
put the equilibrium concentrations of the
reactants and products, the above expression
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 176
Table 6.3 Expression Involving the
Equilibrium Concentration of
Reactants
H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g)
is far from constant. However, if we consider
the expression,
[HI(g)]2eq / [H2(g)]eq [I2(g)]eq
we find that this expression gives constant
value (as shown in Table 6.3) in all the six
cases. It can be seen that in this expression
the power of the concentration for reactants
and products are actually the stoichiometric
coefficients in the equation for the chemical
reaction. Thus, for the reaction H2(g) + I2(g)
2HI(g), following equation 6.1, the equilibrium
constant Kc is written as,
Kc = [HI(g)]eq2 / [H2(g)]eq [I2(g)]eq (6.2)
Generally the subscript ‘eq’ (used for
equilibrium) is omitted from the concentration
terms. It is taken for granted that the
concentrations in the expression for Kc are
equilibrium values. We, therefore, write,
Kc = [HI(g)]2 / [H2(g)] [I2(g)] (6.3)
The subscript ‘c’ indicates that K c is
expressed in concentrations of mol L–1.
At a given temperature, the product of
concentrations of the reaction products
raised to the respective stoichiometric
coefficient in the balanced chemical
equation divided by the product of
concentrations of the reactants raised to
their individual stoichiometric coefficients
has a constant value. This is known as
the Equilibrium Law or Law of Chemical
Equilibrium.
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Unit 6.indd 176
chemistry
The equilibrium constant for a general
reaction,
aA + bB cC + dD
is expressed as,
Kc = [C]c[D]d / [A]a[B]b (6.4)
where [A], [B], [C] and [D] are the equilibrium
concentrations of the reactants and products.
Equilibrium constant for the reaction,
4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g) is written
as
Kc = [NO]4[H2O]6 / [NH3]4 [O2]5
Molar concentration of different species is
indicated by enclosing these in square bracket
and, as mentioned above, it is implied that
these are equilibrium concentrations. While
writing expression for equilibrium constant,
symbol for phases (s, l, g) are generally ignored.
Let us write equilibrium constant for the
reaction, H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g) (6.5)
as, Kc = [HI]2 / [H2] [I2] = x (6.6)
The equilibrium constant for the reverse
reaction, 2HI(g) H2(g) + I2(g), at the same
temperature is,
K′c = [H2] [I2] / [HI]2 = 1/ x = 1 / Kc (6.7)
Thus, K′c = 1 / Kc (6.8)
Equilibrium constant for the reverse
reaction is the inverse of the equilibrium
constant for the reaction in the forward
direction.
If we change the stoichiometric coefficients
in a chemical equation by multiplying
throughout by a factor then we must make
sure that the expression for equilibrium
constant also reflects that change. For
example, if the reaction (6.5) is written as,
½ H2(g) + ½ I2(g) HI(g) (6.9)
the equilibrium constant for the above
reaction is given by
K″c = [HI] / [H2]1/2[I2]1/2 = {[HI]2 / [H2][I2]}1/2
= x1/2 = Kc1/2 (6.10)
On multiplying the equation (6.5) by n, we get
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 EQUILIBRIUM 177

nH2(g) + nI2(g) D 2nHI(g) (6.11)

Therefore, equilibrium constant for the N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g)
reaction is equal to Kc n. These findings are Solution
summarised in Table 6.4. It should be noted
that because the equilibrium constants Kc For the reaction equilibrium constant, Kc
and K ′c have different numerical values, it is can be written as,
2
important to specify the form of the balanced NO
Kc =
chemical equation when quoting the value of N 2 O2
an equilibrium constant. 2
2.8 10–3M
Table 6.4 Relations between Equilibrium =
Constants for a General Reaction 3.0 10 3 M 4.2 10 3 M
and its Multiples.
= 0.622
Chemical equation Equilibrium
constant
aA+bB c C + dD Kc
6.4 HOMOGENEOUS EQUILIBRIA
cC+dD aA+bB K′c =(1/Kc ) In a homogeneous system, all the reactants
and products are in the same phase.
na A + nb B ncC + ndD K′″c = (Kcn )
For example, in the gaseous reaction,
N 2(g) + 3H 2(g) 2NH 3(g), reactants and
products are in the homogeneous phase.
Problem 6.1
Similarly, for the reactions,
The following concentrations were CH3COOC2H5 (aq) + H2O (l) CH3COOH (aq)
obtained for the formation of NH3 from + C2H5OH (aq)
N 2 and H 2 at equilibrium at 500K.
[N2] = 1.5 × 10–2M. [H2] = 3.0 ×10–2 M and and, Fe3+ (aq) + SCN–(aq) Fe(SCN)2+ (aq)
[NH3] = 1.2 ×10–2M. Calculate equilibrium all the reactants and products are in
constant. homogeneous solution phase. We shall now
consider equilibrium constant for some
Solution
homogeneous reactions.
The equilibrium constant for the reaction,
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) can be written as, 6.4.1 Equilibrium Constant in Gaseous
Systems
 NH3  g 
2
So far we have expressed equilibrium
Kc = constant of the reactions in terms of molar
 N 2  g  H2  g 
3
concentration of the reactants and products,
and used symbol, Kc for it. For reactions
=
1.2  10  2 2
involving gases, however, it is usually more
1.5  10  3.0  10 
2 2 3
convenient to express the equilibrium
constant in terms of partial pressure.
= 0.106 × 104 = 1.06 × 103 The ideal gas equation is written as,
pV = nRT
Problem 6.2
n
At equilibrium, the concentrations of ⇒ p = RT
N 2=3.0 × 10 –3M, O 2 = 4.2 × 10 –3M and V
NO= 2.8 × 10–3M in a sealed vessel at 800K. Here, p is the pressure in Pa, n is the number
What will be Kc for the reaction of moles of the gas, V is the volume in m3 and
T is the temperature in Kelvin

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 178 chemistry

Therefore,
n/V is concentration expressed in mol/m3  NH3 ( g ) [RT ]
2 −2

=  = K c ( RT )
−2
If concentration c, is in mol/L or mol/dm3,
 N 2 ( g ) H 2 ( g )
3
and p is in bar then
p = cRT,
or K p = K c ( RT ) (6.14)
−2
We can also write p = [gas]RT.
Here, R= 0.0831 bar litre/mol K Similarly, for a general reaction
At constant temperature, the pressure of aA + bB cC + dD
the gas is proportional to its concentration i.e.,
p ∝ [gas]
Kp =
( p )( p ) [C] [D] ( RT )(
C
c

=D
d c d c +d )

For reaction in equilibrium ( p )( p ) [ A ] [B] (RT )(

a
A
b
B
a b a +b )

H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g)

We can write either [ C ] [D]
c d

RT )
(c + d ) −(a +b )
b (
=
HI ( g )
2
[ A ] [B ]
a

Kc =
H2 ( g ) I2 ( g )
[ C ] [D]
c d

RT )
∆n
= K c ( RT )
∆n
b (
= (6.15)
or K c =
( p HI ) 2

(6.12)
[ A ] [B ]
a

( p )( p )
H2 I2
where ∆n = (number of moles of gaseous
products) – (number of moles of gaseous
Further, since p HI = HI ( g ) RT reactants) in the balanced chemical equation.
It is necessary that while calculating the value
pI2 = I2 ( g ) RT of Kp, pressure should be expressed in bar
p H2 = H2 ( g ) RT because standard state for pressure is 1 bar.
We know from Unit 1 that :
Therefore, 1pascal, Pa=1Nm–2, and 1bar = 105 Pa
HI ( g ) [RT ] Kp values for a few selected reactions at
( pHI )2
2 2

Kp = = different temperatures are given in Table 6.5

( p )( p )
H2 I2
H2 ( g ) RT . I2 ( g ) RT
Table 6.5 Equilibrium Constants, Kp for
HI ( g )
2
a Few Selected Reactions
= = Kc (6.13)
H2 ( g ) I2 ( g )
In this example, K p = K c i.e., both
equilibrium constants are equal. However,
this is not always the case. For example in
reaction
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g)

(p )
2
NH 3
Kp =
( p )( p )
3
N2 H2

Problem 6.3
 NH3 ( g ) [RT ]
2 2

= PCl5, PCl3 and Cl2 are at equilibrium at 500

 N 2 ( g ) RT . H 2 ( g ) (RT )
3 3
K and having concentration 1.59M PCl3,
1.59M Cl2 and 1.41 M PCl5.

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Unit 6.indd 178 11/30/2022 15:46:47

 EQUILIBRIUM 179

Calculate Kc for the reaction, the value 0.194 should be neglected because
PCl5 PCl3 + Cl2 it will give concentration of the reactant
Solution which is more than initial concentration.
The equilibrium constant Kc for the above Hence the equilibrium concentrations are,
reaction can be written as, [CO2] = [H2-] = x = 0.067 M

Kc 
PCl  Cl   1.59
3 2
2

 1.79
[CO] = [H2O] = 0.1 – 0.067 = 0.033 M
PCl 5 1.41 Problem 6.5
Problem 6.4 For the equilibrium,
The value of K c = 4.24 at 800K for the 2NOCl(g) 2NO(g) + Cl2(g)
reaction, the value of the equilibrium constant, Kc is
CO (g) + H2O (g) CO2 (g) + H2 (g) 3.75 × 10 –6 at 1069 K. Calculate the Kp for
Calculate equilibrium concentrations of CO2, the reaction at this temperature?
H2, CO and H2O at 800 K, if only CO and
H2O are present initially at concentrations Solution
of 0.10M each.
We know that,
Solution Kp = Kc(RT)∆n
For the reaction, For the above reaction,
CO (g) + H2O (g) CO2 (g) + H2 (g) ∆n = (2+1) – 2 = 1
Kp = 3.75 ×10–6 (0.0831 × 1069)
Initial concentration:
Kp = 0.033
0.1M 0.1M 0 0
Let x mole per litre of each of the product
be formed. 6.5 HETEROGENEOUS EQUILIBRIA
At equilibrium: Equilibrium in a system having more than one
(0.1-x) M (0.1-x) M xM xM phase is called heterogeneous equilibrium.
The equilibrium between water vapour and
where x is the amount of CO2 and H2 at
equilibrium. liquid water in a closed container is an
example of heterogeneous equilibrium.
Hence, equilibrium constant can be written
as, H2O(l) H2O(g)
Kc = x2/(0.1-x)2 = 4.24 In this example, there is a gas phase and
x2 = 4.24(0.01 + x2-0.2x) a liquid phase. In the same way, equilibrium
x2 = 0.0424 + 4.24x2-0.848x between a solid and its saturated solution,
3.24x2 – 0.848x + 0.0424 = 0 Ca(OH)2 (s) + (aq) Ca2+ (aq) + 2OH–(aq)
a = 3.24, b = – 0.848, c = 0.0424 is a heterogeneous equilibrium.
(for quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, Heterogeneous equilibria often involve

x
 b  b2  4ac  pure solids or liquids. We can simplify
equilibrium expressions for the heterogeneous
2a equilibria involving a pure liquid or a pure
x = 0.848±√(0.848)2– 4(3.24)(0.0424)/ solid, as the molar concentration of a pure
solid or liquid is constant (i.e., independent
(3.24×2)
of the amount present). In other words if a
x = (0.848 ± 0.4118)/ 6.48
substance ‘X’ is involved, then [X(s)] and [X(l)]
x1 = (0.848 – 0.4118)/6.48 = 0.067 are constant, whatever the amount of ‘X’ is
x2 = (0.848 + 0.4118)/6.48 = 0.194 taken. Contrary to this, [X(g)] and [X(aq)] will

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Unit 6.indd 179 9/12/2022 11:58:24 AM

 180 chemistry

vary as the amount of X in a given volume This shows that at a particular

varies. Let us take thermal dissociation of temperature, there is a constant concentration
calcium carbonate which is an interesting and or pressure of CO2 in equilibrium with CaO(s)
important example of heterogeneous chemical and CaCO3(s). Experimentally it has been
equilibrium. found that at 1100 K, the pressure of CO2
in equilibrium with CaCO3(s) and CaO(s), is
CaCO3 (s) CaO (s) + CO2 (g) (6.16) 2.0 ×105 Pa. Therefore, equilibrium constant
On the basis of the stoichiometric equation, at 1100K for the above reaction is:
we can write, Kp = PCO2 = 2 × 105 Pa/105 Pa = 2.00
CaO  s  CO2  g  Similarly, in the equilibrium between
Kc 
CaCO3  s  nickel, carbon monoxide and nickel carbonyl
(used in the purification of nickel),
Since [CaCO3(s)] and [CaO(s)] are both
constant, therefore modified equilibrium Ni (s) + 4 CO (g) Ni(CO)4 (g),
constant for the thermal decomposition of the equilibrium constant is written as
calcium carbonate will be
 Ni CO 4 
K´c = [CO2(g)] (6.17) Kc  
or Kp = pCO (6.18) CO4
2

It must be remembered that for the

existence of heterogeneous equilibrium pure
Units of Equilibrium Constant solids or liquids must also be present (however
The value of equilibrium constant Kc can be small the amount may be) at equilibrium, but
calculated by substituting the concentration their concentrations or partial pressures do
terms in mol/L and for Kp partial pressure not appear in the expression of the equilibrium
is substituted in Pa, kPa, bar or atm. This constant. In the reaction,
results in units of equilibrium constant based Ag2O(s) + 2HNO3(aq) 2AgNO3(aq) +H2O(l)
on molarity or pressure, unless the exponents
of both the numerator and denominator are
 AgNO 
2
3
same. Kc =
HNO 
2
For the reactions, 3
H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI, Kc and Kp have no
unit.
N2O4(g) 2NO2 (g), Kc has unit mol/L
and Kp has unit bar Problem 6.6
Equilibrium constants can also be The value of Kp for the reaction,
expressed as dimensionless quantities if the CO2 (g) + C (s) 2CO (g)
standard state of reactants and products is 3.0 at 1000 K. If initially PCO = 0.48
2
are specified. For a pure gas, the standard bar and PCO = 0 bar and pure graphite is
state is 1bar. Therefore a pressure of 4 bar present, calculate the equilibrium partial
in standard state can be expressed as 4 pressures of CO and CO2.
bar/1 bar = 4, which is a dimensionless
number. Standard state (c0) for a solute is 1 Solution
molar solution and all concentrations can be For the reaction,
measured with respect to it. The numerical
value of equilibrium constant depends on the
let ‘x’ be the decrease in pressure of CO2,
standard state chosen. Thus, in this system
then
both Kp and Kc are dimensionless quantities CO2(g) + C(s) 2CO(g)
but have different numerical values due to Initial
different standard states. pressure: 0.48 bar 0

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Unit 6.indd 180 9/12/2022 11:58:24 AM

 EQUILIBRIUM
At equilibrium: is related to the equilibrium constant
(0.48 – x)bar 2x bar
pC2 O
Kp =
pC O2
Kp = (2x)2/(0.48 – x) = 3
4x2 = 3(0.48 – x)
4x2 = 1.44 – x
4x2 + 3x – 1.44 = 0
a = 4, b = 3, c = –1.44
b  
b2  4ac
x
2a
= [–3 ± √(3)2– 4(4)(–1.44)]/2 × 4
= (–3 ± 5.66)/8
= (–3 + 5.66)/8 (as value of x cannot be
negative hence we neglect that value)
x = 2.66/8 = 0.33
The equilibrium partial pressures are,
pCO = 2x = 2 × 0.33 = 0.66 bar
2 in the numerator of equilibrium constant
pCO = 0.48 – x = 0.48 – 0.33 = 0.15 bar
2
6.6 APPLICATIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM
CONSTANTS
Before considering the applications of
equilibrium constants, let us summarise the
important features of equilibrium constants
as follows:
1. Expression for equilibrium constant is
applicable only when concentrations of
the reactants and products have attained
constant value at equilibrium state.
2. The value of equilibrium constant is
independent of initial concentrations of
the reactants and products.
3. Equilibrium constant is temperature
dependent having one unique value for
a particular reaction represented by a
balanced equation at a given temperature.
4. The equilibrium constant for the reverse
reaction is equal to the inverse of the
equilibrium constant for the forward
reaction.
Rationalised 2023-24
Unit 6.indd 181
181
5. The equilibrium constant K for a reaction
of the corresponding reaction, whose
equation is obtained by multiplying or
dividing the equation for the original
reaction by a small integer.
Let us consider applications of equilibrium
constant to:
• predict the extent of a reaction on the
basis of its magnitude,
• predict the direction of the reaction, and
•
calculate equilibrium concentrations.
6.6.1 Predicting the Extent of a
Reaction
The numerical value of the equilibrium
constant for a reaction indicates the extent
of the reaction. But it is important to note
that an equilibrium constant does not give
any information about the rate at which
the equilibrium is reached. The magnitude
of Kc or Kp is directly proportional to the
concentrations of products (as these appear
expression) and inversely proportional to the
concentrations of the reactants (these appear
in the denominator). This implies that a high
value of K is suggestive of a high concentration
of products and vice-versa.
We can make the following generalisations
concerning the composition of equilibrium
mixtures:
• If Kc > 103, products predominate over
reactants, i.e., if Kc is very large, the
reaction proceeds nearly to completion.
Consider the following examples:
(a) The reaction of H 2 with O 2 at 500 K
has a very large equilibrium constant,
Kc = 2.4 × 1047.
(b) H2(g) + Cl 2(g) 2HCl(g) at 300K has
Kc = 4.0 × 1031.
(c) H 2(g) + Br 2(g) 2HBr (g) at 300 K,
Kc = 5.4 × 1018
• If Kc < 10–3, reactants predominate over
products, i.e., if Kc is very small, the
reaction proceeds rarely. Consider the
following examples:
9/12/2022 11:58:24 AM
 182
(a) The decomposition of H2O into H2 and
O2 at 500 K has a very small equilibrium
constant, Kc = 4.1 × 10 –48
(b) N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g),
at 298 K has Kc = 4.8 ×10 – 31.
• If K c is in the range of 10 – 3 to 10 3 ,
appreciable concentrations of both
reactants and products are present.
Consider the following examples:
(a) For reaction of H2 with I2 to give HI,
Kc = 57.0 at 700K.
(b) Also, gas phase decomposition of N2O4
to NO2 is another reaction with a value
of K c = 4.64 × 10 –3 at 25°C which is
neither too small nor too large. Hence,
equilibrium mixtures contain appreciable
concentrations of both N2O4 and NO2.
These generarlisations are illustrated in
Fig. 6.6
Fig.6.6 Dependence of extent of reaction on Kc
6.6.2 Predicting the Direction of the
Reaction
The equilibrium constant helps in predicting
the direction in which a given reaction will
proceed at any stage. For this purpose,
we calculate the reaction quotient Q.
The reaction quotient, Q (Q c with molar
concentrations and QP with partial pressures)
is defined in the same way as the equilibrium
constant Kc except that the concentrations
in Qc are not necessarily equilibrium values.
For a general reaction:
aA+bB c C + d D (6.19)
Qc = [C]c[D]d / [A]a[B]b (6.20)
Then,
If Qc > Kc, the reaction will proceed in the
direction of reactants (reverse reaction).
If Qc < Kc, the reaction will proceed in the
direction of the products (forward reaction).
Rationalised 2023-24
Unit 6.indd 182
chemistry
If Qc = Kc, the reaction mixture is already
at equilibrium.
Consider the gaseous reaction of H 2
with I2,
H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g); Kc = 57.0 at 700 K.
Suppose we have molar concentrations
[H2]t=0.10M, [I2]t = 0.20 M and [HI]t = 0.40 M.
(the subscript t on the concentration symbols
means that the concentrations were measured
at some arbitrary time t, not necessarily at
equilibrium).
Thus, the reaction quotient, Qc at this
stage of the reaction is given by,
Qc = [HI]t2 / [H2]t [I2]t = (0.40)2/ (0.10)×(0.20)
= 8.0
Now, in this case, Qc (8.0) does not equal
Kc (57.0), so the mixture of H2(g), I2(g) and HI(g)
is not at equilibrium; that is, more H2(g) and
I2(g) will react to form more HI(g) and their
concentrations will decrease till Qc = Kc.
The reaction quotient, Q c is useful in
predicting the direction of reaction by
comparing the values of Qc and Kc.
Thus, we can make the following
generalisations concerning the direction of
the reaction (Fig. 6.7) :
Fig. 6.7 Predicting the direction of the reaction
• If Qc < Kc, net reaction goes from left to
right
• If Qc > Kc, net reaction goes from right to
left.
• If Qc = Kc, no net reaction occurs.
Problem 6.7
The value of Kc for the reaction
2A B + C is 2 × 10–3. At a given time,
the composition of reaction mixture is
[A] = [B] = [C] = 3 × 10–4 M. In which direction
the reaction will proceed?
9/12/2022 11:58:25 AM
 EQUILIBRIUM 183

Solution The total pressure at equilbrium was

For the reaction the reaction quotient Qc is found to be 9.15 bar. Calculate Kc, Kp and
given by, partial pressure at equilibrium.
Qc = [B][C]/ [A]2 Solution
as [A] = [B] = [C] = 3 × 10–4M
Qc = (3 ×10–4)(3 × 10 –4) / (3 ×10 –4)2 = 1 We know pV = nRT
as Qc > Kc so the reaction will proceed in the Total volume (V ) = 1 L
reverse direction.
Molecular mass of N2O4 = 92 g
6.6.3 Calculating Equilibrium Number of moles = 13.8g/92 g = 0.15
Concentrations of the gas (n)
In case of a problem in which we know the Gas constant (R) = 0.083 bar L mol–1K–1
initial concentrations but do not know any of Temperature (T ) = 400 K
the equilibrium concentrations, the following
three steps shall be followed: pV = nRT
Step 1. Write the balanced equation for the p × 1L = 0.15 mol × 0.083 bar L mol–1K–1
reaction. × 400 K
Step 2. Under the balanced equation, make p = 4.98 bar
a table that lists for each substance involved N2O4 2NO2
in the reaction: Initial pressure: 4.98 bar 0
(a) the initial concentration, At equilibrium: (4.98 – x) bar 2x bar
(b) the change in concentration on going to Hence,
equilibrium, and ptotal at equilibrium = pN + pNO
2O4 2
(c) the equilibrium concentration.
9.15 = (4.98 – x) + 2x
In constructing the table, define x as the
concentration (mol/L) of one of the substances 9.15 = 4.98 + x
that reacts on going to equilibrium, then use x = 9.15 – 4.98 = 4.17 bar
the stoichiometry of the reaction to determine Partial pressures at equilibrium are,
the concentrations of the other substances in
pN = 4.98 – 4.17 = 0.81bar
terms of x. 2O4
pNO = 2x = 2 × 4.17 = 8.34 bar
Step 3. Substitute the equilibrium 2

 
2
concentrations into the equilibrium equation K p = p NO2 / p N 2O4
for the reaction and solve for x. If you are
= (8.34)2/0.81 = 85.87
to solve a quadratic equation choose the
mathematical solution that makes chemical Kp = Kc(RT)∆n
sense. 85.87 = Kc(0.083 × 400)1
Step 4. Calculate the equilibrium Kc = 2.586 = 2.6
concentrations from the calculated value of x.
Step 5. Check your results by substituting Problem 6.9
them into the equilibrium equation. 3.00 mol of PCl5 kept in 1L closed reaction
vessel was allowed to attain equilibrium
at 380K. Calculate composition of the
Problem 6.8 mixture at equilibrium. Kc= 1.80
13.8g of N2O4 was placed in a 1L reaction Solution
vessel at 400K and allowed to attain PCl5 PCl3 + Cl2
equilibrium Initial
N 2O4 (g) 2NO2 (g) concentration: 3.0 0 0

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Unit 6.indd 183 9/12/2022 11:58:25 AM

 184
Let x mol per litre of PCl5 be dissociated,
At equilibrium:
(3-x) x x Hence, using the equation (6.23), the
Kc = [PCl3][Cl2]/[PCl5]
1.8 = x2/ (3 – x)
x2 + 1.8x – 5.4 = 0
x = [–1.8 ± √(1.8)2 – 4(–5.4)]/2
x = [–1.8 ± √3.24 + 21.6]/2
x = [–1.8 ± 4.98]/2
x = [–1.8 + 4.98]/2 = 1.59
[PCl5] = 3.0 – x = 3 –1.59 = 1.41 M
[PCl3] = [Cl2] = x = 1.59 M
6.7 Relationship between
Equilibrium Constant K,
Reaction Quotient Q and
Gibbs Energy G
The value of Kc for a reaction does not depend
on the rate of the reaction. However, as you
have studied in Unit 5, it is directly related
to the thermodynamics of the reaction and
in particular, to the change in Gibbs energy,
∆G. If,
• ∆G is negative, then the reaction is
spontaneous and proceeds in the forward
direction.
• ∆G is positive, then reaction is considered
non-spontaneous. Instead, as reverse
reaction would have a negative ∆G, the
products of the forward reaction shall be
converted to the reactants.
• ∆G is 0, reaction has achieved equilibrium;
at this point, there is no longer any free
energy left to drive the reaction.
A mathematical expression of this
thermodynamic view of equilibrium can be
described by the following equation:
∆G = ∆G + RT lnQ (6.21)
where, G is standard Gibbs energy.

At equilibrium, when ∆G = 0 and Q = Kc,
the equation (6.21) becomes,
∆G = ∆G + RT ln K = 0
∆G = – RT lnK (6.22)
lnK = – ∆G / RT
Rationalised 2023-24
Unit 6.indd 184
chemistry
Taking antilog of both sides, we get,
K = e–∆G/RT (6.23)
reaction spontaneity can be interpreted in
terms of the value of ∆G .
• If ∆G  < 0, then –∆G /RT is positive,
and e –∆DG /RT>1, making K >1, which
implies a spontaneous reaction or the
reaction which proceeds in the forward
direction to such an extent that the
products are present predominantly.
• If ∆G  > 0, then –∆G /RT is negative, and
e –∆G </RT 1, that is , K < 1, which implies

a non-spontaneous reaction or a reaction
which proceeds in the forward direction
to such a small degree that only a very
minute quantity of product is formed.
Problem 6.10
The value of ∆G  for the phosphorylation of
glucose in glycolysis is 13.8 kJ/mol. Find
the value of Kc at 298 K.
Solution
∆G  = 13.8 kJ/mol = 13.8 × 103J/mol
Also, ∆G  = – RT lnKc
Hence, ln Kc = –13.8 × 103J/mol
(8.314 J mol –1K –1 × 298 K)
ln Kc = – 5.569
Kc = e–5.569
Kc = 3.81 × 10 –3
Problem 6.11
Hydrolysis of sucrose gives,
Sucrose + H2O Glucose + Fructose
Equilibrium constant Kc for the reaction is
2 ×1013 at 300K. Calculate ∆G  at 300K.
Solution
∆G  = – RT lnKc
∆G  = – 8.314J mol–1K–1×
300K × ln(2×1013)
∆G  = – 7.64 ×104 J mol–1
6.8 FACTORS AFFECTING EQUILIBRIA
One of the principal goals of chemical
synthesis is to maximise the conversion of the
9/12/2022 11:58:25 AM
 EQUILIBRIUM
reactants to products while minimising the
expenditure of energy. This implies maximum
yield of products at mild temperature and
pressure conditions. If it does not happen,
then the experimental conditions need to be
adjusted. For example, in the Haber process
for the synthesis of ammonia from N2 and
H2, the choice of experimental conditions is
of real economic importance. Annual world
production of ammonia is about hundred
million tones, primarily for use as fertilisers.
Equilibrium constant, Kc is independent
of initial concentrations. But if a system at
equilibrium is subjected to a change in the
concentration of one or more of the reacting
substances, then the system is no longer at
equilibrium; and net reaction takes place in
some direction until the system returns to
equilibrium once again. Similarly, a change
in temperature or pressure of the system may
also alter the equilibrium. In order to decide
what course the reaction adopts and make
a qualitative prediction about the effect of a
change in conditions on equilibrium we use
Le Chatelier’s principle. It states that a
change in any of the factors that determine
the equilibrium conditions of a system
will cause the system to change in such a
manner so as to reduce or to counteract
the effect of the change. This is applicable
to all physical and chemical equilibria.
We shall now be discussing factors which
can influence the equilibrium.
6.8.1 Effect of Concentration Change
In general, when equilibrium is disturbed
by the addition/removal of any reactant/
products, Le Chatelier’s principle predicts
that:
• The concentration stress of an added
reactant/product is relieved by net
reaction in the direction that consumes
the added substance.
• The concentration stress of a removed
reactant/product is relieved by net
reaction in the direction that replenishes
the removed substance.
or in other words,
Rationalised 2023-24
Unit 6.indd 185
185
“When the concentration of any of the
reactants or products in a reaction at
equilibrium is changed, the composition
of the equilibrium mixture changes so as
to minimize the effect of concentration
changes”.
Let us take the reaction,
H2(g) + I2(g) 2HI(g)
If H2 is added to the reaction mixture
at equilibrium, then the equilibrium of the
reaction is disturbed. In order to restore it,
the reaction proceeds in a direction wherein
H2 is consumed, i.e., more of H2 and I2 react
to form HI and finally the equilibrium shifts
in right (forward) direction (Fig.6.8). This is in
accordance with the Le Chatelier’s principle
which implies that in case of addition of a
reactant/product, a new equilibrium will
be set up in which the concentration of the
reactant/product should be less than what it
was after the addition but more than what it
was in the original mixture.
Fig. 6.8 Effect of addition of H 2 on change
of concentration for the reactants
and products in the reaction,
H2(g) + I2 (g) 2HI(g)
The same point can be explained in terms
of the reaction quotient, Qc,
Qc = [HI]2/ [H2][I2]
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 186
Addition of hydrogen at equilibrium
results in value of Qc being less than Kc . Thus,
in order to attain equilibrium again reaction
moves in the forward direction. Similarly,
we can say that removal of a product also
boosts the forward reaction and increases
the concentration of the products and this
has great commercial application in cases
of reactions, where the product is a gas or a
volatile substance. In case of manufacture of
ammonia, ammonia is liquified and removed
from the reaction mixture so that reaction
keeps moving in forward direction. Similarly,
in the large scale production of CaO (used
as important building material) from CaCO3,
constant removal of CO2 from the kiln drives
the reaction to completion. It should be
remembered that continuous removal of a
product maintains Qc at a value less than Kc
and reaction continues to move in the forward
direction.
Effect of Concentration – An experiment
This can be demonstrated by the following
reaction:
Fe3+(aq)+ SCN –(aq) [Fe(SCN)]2+(aq) (6.24)
yellow colourless deep red
(6.25)
A reddish colour appears on adding two
drops of 0.002 M potassium thiocynate solution
to 1 mL of 0.2 M iron(III) nitrate solution due
to the formation of [Fe(SCN)]2+. The intensity
of the red colour becomes constant on
attaining equilibrium. This equilibrium can be
shifted in either forward or reverse directions
depending on our choice of adding a reactant
or a product. The equilibrium can be shifted
in the opposite direction by adding reagents
that remove Fe3+ or SCN – ions. For example,
oxalic acid (H2C2O4), reacts with Fe3+ ions
to form the stable complex ion [Fe(C2O4)3]3–,
thus decreasing the concentration of free
Fe3+(aq). In accordance with the Le Chatelier’s
principle, the concentration stress of removed
Fe3+ is relieved by dissociation of [Fe(SCN)]2+
to replenish the Fe 3+ ions. Because the
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Unit 6.indd 186
chemistry
concentration of [Fe(SCN)]2+ decreases, the
intensity of red colour decreases.
Addition of aq. HgCl2 also decreases red
colour because Hg2+ reacts with SCN– ions to
form stable complex ion [Hg(SCN)4]2–. Removal
of free SCN – (aq) shifts the equilibrium
in equation (6.24) from right to left to
replenish SCN – ions. Addition of potassium
thiocyanate on the other hand increases the
colour intensity of the solution as it shift the
equilibrium to right.
6.8.2 Effect of Pressure Change
A pressure change obtained by changing the
volume can affect the yield of products in
case of a gaseous reaction where the total
number of moles of gaseous reactants and
total number of moles of gaseous products are
different. In applying Le Chatelier’s principle
to a heterogeneous equilibrium the effect
of pressure changes on solids and liquids
can be ignored because the volume (and
concentration) of a solution/liquid is nearly
independent of pressure.
Consider the reaction,
CO(g) + 3H2(g) CH4(g) + H2O(g)
Here, 4 mol of gaseous reactants (CO + 3H2)
become 2 mol of gaseous products (CH4 +
H2O). Suppose equilibrium mixture (for above
reaction) kept in a cylinder fitted with a piston
at constant temperature is compressed to
one half of its original volume. Then, total
pressure will be doubled (according to
pV = constant). The partial pressure and
therefore, concentration of reactants and
products have changed and the mixture is no
longer at equilibrium. The direction in which
the reaction goes to re-establish equilibrium
can be predicted by applying the Le Chatelier’s
principle. Since pressure has doubled,
the equilibrium now shifts in the forward
direction, a direction in which the number
of moles of the gas or pressure decreases (we
know pressure is proportional to moles of the
gas). This can also be understood by using
reaction quotient, Qc. Let [CO], [H2], [CH4]
and [H2O] be the molar concentrations at
equilibrium for methanation reaction. When
volume of the reaction mixture is halved, the
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 EQUILIBRIUM
partial pressure and the concentration are
doubled. We obtain the reaction quotient by
replacing each equilibrium concentration by
double its value.
CH4 ( g ) H2O ( g )
Qc = 
CO ( g ) H2 ( g )
3
As Qc < Kc , the reaction proceeds in the
forward direction.
In reaction C(s) + CO2(g) 2CO(g), when
pressure is increased, the reaction goes in the
reverse direction because the number of moles
of gas increases in the forward direction.
6.8.3 Effect of Inert Gas Addition
If the volume is kept constant and an inert gas
such as argon is added which does not take
part in the reaction, the equilibrium remains
undisturbed. It is because the addition of
an inert gas at constant volume does not
change the partial pressures or the molar
concentrations of the substance involved in
the reaction. The reaction quotient changes
only if the added gas is a reactant or product
involved in the reaction.
6.8.4 Effect of Temperature Change
Whenever an equilibrium is disturbed by
a change in the concentration, pressure or
volume, the composition of the equilibrium
mixture changes because the reaction
quotient, Qc no longer equals the equilibrium
constant, Kc. However, when a change in
temperature occurs, the value of equilibrium
constant, Kc is changed.
In general, the temperature dependence
of the equilibrium constant depends on the
sign of ∆H for the reaction.
• The equilibrium constant for an exothermic
reaction (negative ∆H) decreases as the
temperature increases.
• The equilibrium constant for an
endothermic reaction (positive ∆H)
increases as the temperature increases.
Temperature changes affect the
equilibrium constant and rates of reactions.
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Unit 6.indd 187
187
Production of ammonia according to the
reaction,
N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g);
∆H= – 92.38 kJ mol–1
is an exothermic process. According to
Le Chatelier’s principle, raising the
temperature shifts the equilibrium to left
and decreases the equilibrium concentration
of ammonia. In other words, low temperature
is favourable for high yield of ammonia, but
practically very low temperatures slow down
the reaction and thus a catalyst is used.
Effect of Temperature – An experiment
Effect of temperature on equilibrium can
be demonstrated by taking NO2 gas (brown
in colour) which dimerises into N 2O 4 gas
(colourless).
2NO2(g) N2O4(g); ∆H = –57.2 kJ mol–1
NO 2 gas prepared by addition of Cu
turnings to conc. HNO3 is collected in two
5 mL test tubes (ensuring same intensity
of colour of gas in each tube) and stopper
sealed with araldite. Three 250 mL beakers
1, 2 and 3 containing freesing mixture, water
at room temperature and hot water (363K),
respectively, are taken (Fig. 6.9). Both the test
tubes are placed in beaker 2 for 8-10 minutes.
After this one is placed in beaker 1 and the
other in beaker 3. The effect of temperature
on direction of reaction is depicted very well
in this experiment. At low temperatures in
beaker 1, the forward reaction of formation of
N2O4 is preferred, as reaction is exothermic,
and thus, intensity of brown colour due
to NO2 decreases. While in beaker 3, high
temperature favours the reverse reaction of
Fig. 6.9 Effect of temperature on equilibrium for
the reaction, 2NO2 (g) N2O4 (g)
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 188
formation of NO2 and thus, the brown colour
intensifies.
Effect of temperature can also be seen in
an endothermic reaction,
[Co(H2O) 6]3+ (aq) + 4Cl –(aq) [CoCl4]2–(aq) +
6H2O(l)
pink colourless blue
At room temperature, the equilibrium
mixture is blue due to [CoCl4]2–. When cooled
in a freesing mixture, the colour of the mixture
turns pink due to [Co(H2O)6]3+.
6.8.5 Effect of a Catalyst
A catalyst increases the rate of the chemical
reaction by making available a new low energy
pathway for the conversion of reactants to
products. It increases the rate of forward
and reverse reactions that pass through the
same transition state and does not affect
equilibrium. Catalyst lowers the activation
energy for the forward and reverse reactions
by exactly the same amount. Catalyst does
not affect the equilibrium composition of
a reaction mixture. It does not appear in
the balanced chemical equation or in the
equilibrium constant expression.
Let us consider the formation of NH3
from dinitrogen and dihydrogen which is
highly exothermic reaction and proceeds
with decrease in total number of moles
formed as compared to the reactants.
Equilibrium constant decreases with increase
in temperature. At low temperature rate
decreases and it takes long time to reach at
equilibrium, whereas high temperatures give
satisfactory rates but poor yields.
German chemist, Fritz Haber discovered
that a catalyst consisting of iron catalyse
the reaction to occur at a satisfactory rate
at temperatures, where the equilibrium
concentration of NH3 is reasonably favourable.
Since the number of moles formed in the
reaction is less than those of reactants, the
yield of NH3 can be improved by increasing
the pressure.
Optimum conditions of temperature
and pressure for the synthesis of NH3 using
catalyst are around 500 °C and 200 atm.
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Unit 6.indd 188
chemistry
Similarly, in manufacture of sulphuric
acid by contact process,
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g); Kc = 1.7 × 1026
though the value of K is suggestive of reaction
going to completion, but practically the
oxidation of SO2 to SO3 is very slow. Thus,
platinum or divanadium penta-oxide (V2O5)
is used as catalyst to increase the rate of the
reaction.
Note: If a reaction has an exceedingly small
K, a catalyst would be of little help.
6.9 IONIC EQUILIBRIUM IN SOLUTION
Under the effect of change of concentration
on the direction of equilibrium, you have
incidently come across with the following
equilibrium which involves ions:
Fe3+(aq) + SCN–(aq) [Fe(SCN)]2+(aq)
There are numerous equilibria that involve
ions only. In the following sections we will
study the equilibria involving ions. It is well
known that the aqueous solution of sugar
does not conduct electricity. However, when
common salt (sodium chloride) is added
to water it conducts electricity. Also, the
conductance of electricity increases with an
increase in concentration of common salt.
Michael Faraday classified the substances
into two categories based on their ability
to conduct electricity. One category of
substances conduct electricity in their
aqueous solutions and are called electrolytes
while the other do not and are thus, referred to
as non-electrolytes. Faraday further classified
electrolytes into strong and weak electrolytes.
Strong electrolytes on dissolution in water
are ionized almost completely, while the weak
electrolytes are only partially dissociated.
For example, an aqueous solution of
sodium chloride is comprised entirely of
sodium ions and chloride ions, while that
of acetic acid mainly contains unionized
acetic acid molecules and only some acetate
ions and hydronium ions. This is because
there is almost 100% ionization in case
of sodium chloride as compared to less
than 5% ionization of acetic acid which is
a weak electrolyte. It should be noted
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 EQUILIBRIUM 189

that in weak electrolytes, equilibrium is exists in solid state as a cluster of positively

established between ions and the unionized charged sodium ions and negatively charged
molecules. This type of equilibrium involving chloride ions which are held together due to
ions in aqueous solution is called ionic electrostatic interactions between oppositely
equilibrium. Acids, bases and salts come charged species (Fig.6.10). The electrostatic
under the category of electrolytes and may act forces between two charges are inversely
as either strong or weak electrolytes. proportional to dielectric constant of the
medium. Water, a universal solvent, possesses
6.10 ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS a very high dielectric constant of 80. Thus,
Acids, bases and salts find widespread when sodium chloride is dissolved in water,
occurrence in nature. Hydrochloric acid the electrostatic interactions are reduced by
present in the gastric juice is secreted by the a factor of 80 and this facilitates the ions to
lining of our stomach in a significant amount move freely in the solution. Also, they are
of 1.2-1.5 L/day and is essential for digestive well-separated due to hydration with water
processes. Acetic acid is known to be the main molecules.
constituent of vinegar. Lemon and orange
juices contain citric and ascorbic acids, and
tartaric acid is found in tamarind paste. As
most of the acids taste sour, the word “acid”
has been derived from a latin word “acidus”
meaning sour. Acids are known to turn blue
litmus paper into red and liberate dihydrogen
on reacting with some metals. Similarly, bases
are known to turn red litmus paper blue, taste
bitter and feel soapy. A common example
of a base is washing soda used for washing
purposes. When acids and bases are mixed
in the right proportion they react with each
Fig.6.10 Dissolution of sodium chloride in water.
other to give salts. Some commonly known
Na+ and Cl – ions are stablised by their
examples of salts are sodium chloride, barium hydration with polar water molecules.
sulphate, sodium nitrate. Sodium chloride
(common salt) is an important component of Comparing, the ionization of hydrochloric
our diet and is formed by reaction between acid with that of acetic acid in water we find
hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. It that though both of them are polar covalent

Faraday was born near London into a family of very limited means. At the age of
14 he was an apprentice to a kind bookbinder who allowed Faraday to read the
books he was binding. Through a fortunate chance he became laboratory assistant
to Davy, and during 1813-4, Faraday accompanied him to the Continent. During
this trip he gained much from the experience of coming into contact with many of the
leading scientists of the time. In 1825, he succeeded Davy as Director of the Royal
Institution laboratories, and in 1833 he also became the first Fullerian Professor of
Chemistry. Faraday’s first important work was on analytical chemistry. After 1821
Michael Faraday
much of his work was on electricity and magnetism and different electromagnetic
(1791–1867)
phenomena. His ideas have led to the establishment of modern field theory.
He discovered his two laws of electrolysis in 1834. Faraday was a very modest and kind hearted
person. He declined all honours and avoided scientific controversies. He preferred to work alone and
never had any assistant. He disseminated science in a variety of ways including his Friday evening
discourses, which he founded at the Royal Institution. He has been very famous for his Christmas
lecture on the ‘Chemical History of a Candle’. He published nearly 450 scientific papers.

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Unit 6.indd 189 9/12/2022 11:58:26 AM

 190
molecules, former is completely ionized into
its constituent ions, while the latter is only
partially ionized (< 5%). The extent to which
ionization occurs depends upon the strength
of the bond and the extent of solvation
of ions produced. The terms dissociation
and ionization have earlier been used with
different meaning. Dissociation refers to the
process of separation of ions in water already
existing as such in the solid state of the solute,
as in sodium chloride. On the other hand,
ionization corresponds to a process in which
a neutral molecule splits into charged ions in
the solution. Here, we shall not distinguish
between the two and use the two terms
interchangeably.
6.10.1 Arrhenius Concept of Acids and
Bases
According to Arrhenius theory, acids are
substances that dissociates in water to
give hydrogen ions H +(aq) and bases are
substances that produce hydroxyl ions
OH –(aq). The ionization of an acid HX (aq) can
be represented by the following equations:
HX (aq) → H+(aq) + X– (aq)
or
HX(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + X –(aq)
A bare proton, H+ is very reactive and
cannot exist freely in aqueous solutions.
Thus, it bonds to the oxygen atom of a solvent
water molecule to give trigonal pyramidal
hydronium ion, H3O+ {[H (H2O)]+} (see box). In
this chapter we shall use H+(aq) and H3O+(aq)
interchangeably to mean the same i.e., a
hydrated proton.
Similarly, a base molecule like MOH
ionizes in aqueous solution according to the
equation:
MOH(aq) → M+(aq) + OH–(aq)
The hydroxyl ion also exists in the hydrated
form in the aqueous solution. Arrhenius
concept of acid and base, however, suffers
from the limitation of being applicable only to
aqueous solutions and also, does not account
for the basicity of substances like, ammonia
which do not possess a hydroxyl group.
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Unit 6.indd 190
chemistry
Hydronium and Hydroxyl Ions
Hydrogen ion by itself is a bare proton with very
small size (~10–15 m radius) and intense electric
field, binds itself with the water molecule at
one of the two available lone pairs on it giving
H3O+. This species has been detected in many
compounds (e.g., H3O+Cl–) in the solid state. In
aqueous solution the hydronium ion is further
hydrated to give species like H5O2+, H7O3+ and
H9O4+. Similarly the hydroxyl ion is hydrated
to give several ionic species like H3O2–, H5O3–
and H7O4– etc.
H9O4+
6.10.2 The Brönsted-Lowry Acids and
Bases
The Danish chemist, Johannes Brönsted and
the English chemist, Thomas M. Lowry gave
a more general definition of acids and bases.
According to Brönsted-Lowry theory, acid
is a substance that is capable of donating a
hydrogen ion H+ and bases are substances
capable of accepting a hydrogen ion, H+. In
short, acids are proton donors and bases are
proton acceptors.
Consider the example of dissolution of NH3
in H2O represented by the following equation:
The basic solution is formed due to the
presence of hydroxyl ions. In this reaction,
water molecule acts as proton donor and
ammonia molecule acts as proton acceptor
and are thus, called Lowry-Brönsted acid and
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 EQUILIBRIUM 191

Arrhenius was born near Uppsala, Sweden. He presented his thesis, on the
conductivities of electrolyte solutions, to the University of Uppsala in 1884. For the
next five years he travelled extensively and visited a number of research centers
in Europe. In 1895 he was appointed professor of physics at the newly formed
University of Stockholm, serving its rector from 1897 to 1902. From 1905 until his
death he was Director of physical chemistry at the Nobel Institute in Stockholm. He
continued to work for many years on electrolytic solutions. In 1899 he discussed
the temperature dependence of reaction rates on the basis of an equation, now
usually known as Arrhenius equation.
He worked in a variety of fields, and made important contributions to
Svante Arrhenius
immunochemistry, cosmology, the origin of life, and the causes of ice age. He was
(1859-1927)
the first to discuss the ‘green house effect’ calling by that name. He received Nobel
Prize in Chemistry in 1903 for his theory of electrolytic dissociation and its use in
the development of chemistry.

base, respectively. In the reverse reaction, in case of ammonia it acts as an acid by

H+ is transferred from NH4+ to OH–. In this
case, NH 4+ acts as a Bronsted acid while
OH– acted as a Brönsted base. The acid-base
pair that differs only by one proton is called
a conjugate acid-base pair. Therefore, OH –
is called the conjugate base of an acid H2O
and NH4+ is called conjugate acid of the base
NH3. If Brönsted acid is a strong acid then
its conjugate base is a weak base and vice-
versa. It may be noted that conjugate acid
has one extra proton and each conjugate base
has one less proton.
Consider the example of ionization of
hydrochloric acid in water. HCl(aq) acts as
an acid by donating a proton to H2O molecule
which acts as a base.
It can be seen in the above equation, that
water acts as a base because it accepts the
proton. The species H3O+ is produced when
water accepts a proton from HCl. Therefore,
Cl – is a conjugate base of HCl and HCl is the
conjugate acid of base Cl –. Similarly, H2O is
a conjugate base of an acid H3O+ and H3O+ is
a conjugate acid of base H2O.
It is interesting to observe the dual role
of water as an acid and a base. In case of
reaction with HCl water acts as a base while
donating a proton.
Problem 6.12
What will be the conjugate bases for the
following Brönsted acids: HF, H2SO4 and
HCO3– ?
Solution
The conjugate bases should have one
proton less in each case and therefore the
corresponding conjugate bases are: F –,
HSO4– and CO32– respectively.
Problem 6.13
Write the conjugate acids for the following
Brönsted bases: NH2–, NH3 and HCOO–.
Solution
The conjugate acid should have one extra
proton in each case and therefore the
corresponding conjugate acids are: NH3,
NH4+ and HCOOH respectively.
Problem 6.14
The species: H2O, HCO3–, HSO4– and NH3 can
act both as Bronsted acids and bases. For
each case give the corresponding conjugate
acid and conjugate base.
Solution
The answer is given in the following Table:
Species Conjugate Conjugate
acid base
H2O H3O+ OH –
HCO3– H2CO3 CO32–
HSO4– H2SO4 SO42–
NH3 NH4+ NH2–

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 192
6.10.3 Lewis Acids and Bases
G.N. Lewis in 1923 defined an acid as a
species which accepts electron pair and base
which donates an electron pair. As far as bases
are concerned, there is not much difference
between Brönsted-Lowry and Lewis concepts,
as the base provides a lone pair in both the
cases. However, in Lewis concept many
acids do not have proton. A typical example
is reaction of electron deficient species BF3
with NH3.
BF3 does not have a proton but still acts
as an acid and reacts with NH3 by accepting
its lone pair of electrons. The reaction can be
represented by,
BF3 + :NH3 → BF3:NH3
Electron deficient species like AlCl3, Co3+,
Mg , etc. can act as Lewis acids while species
2+
like H2O, NH3, OH– etc. which can donate a
pair of electrons, can act as Lewis bases.
Problem 6.15
Classify the following species into Lewis
acids and Lewis bases and show how these
act as such:
(a) HO – (b) F – (c) H+ (d) BCl3
Solution
(a) Hydroxyl ion is a Lewis base as it can
donate an electron lone pair (:OH– ).
(b) Flouride ion acts as a Lewis base
as it can donate any one of its four
electron lone pairs.
(c) A proton is a Lewis acid as it can
accept a lone pair of electrons from
bases like hydroxyl ion and fluoride
ion.
(d) BCl3 acts as a Lewis acid as it can
accept a lone pair of electrons from
species like ammonia or amine
molecules.
6.11 IONIZATION OF ACIDS AND BASES
Arrhenius concept of acids and bases
becomes useful in case of ionization of acids
and bases as mostly ionizations in chemical
and biological systems occur in aqueous
medium. Strong acids like perchloric acid
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Unit 6.indd 192
chemistry
(HClO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrobromic
acid (HBr), hyrdoiodic acid (HI), nitric acid
(HNO3) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) are termed
strong because they are almost completely
dissociated into their constituent ions in an
aqueous medium, thereby acting as proton
(H +) donors. Similarly, strong bases like
lithium hydroxide (LiOH), sodium hydroxide
(NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), caesium
hydroxide (CsOH) and barium hydroxide
Ba(OH)2 are almost completely dissociated
into ions in an aqueous medium giving
hydroxyl ions, OH–. According to Arrhenius
concept they are strong acids and bases as
they are able to completely dissociate and
produce H3O+ and OH– ions respectively in
the medium. Alternatively, the strength of an
acid or base may also be gauged in terms of
Brönsted-Lowry concept of acids and bases,
wherein a strong acid means a good proton
donor and a strong base implies a good proton
acceptor. Consider, the acid-base dissociation
equilibrium of a weak acid HA,
HA(aq) + H2O(l)   H3O+(aq) + A–(aq)
conjugate conjugate
acid base acid base
In section 6.10.2 we saw that acid (or
base) dissociation equilibrium is dynamic
involving a transfer of proton in forward and
reverse directions. Now, the question arises
that if the equilibrium is dynamic then with
passage of time which direction is favoured?
What is the driving force behind it? In order
to answer these questions we shall deal
into the issue of comparing the strengths
of the two acids (or bases) involved in the
dissociation equilibrium. Consider the two
acids HA and H 3O + present in the above
mentioned acid-dissociation equilibrium.
We have to see which amongst them is a
stronger proton donor. Whichever exceeds
in its tendency of donating a proton over the
other shall be termed as the stronger acid
and the equilibrium will shift in the direction
of weaker acid. Say, if HA is a stronger acid
than H3O+, then HA will donate protons and
not H3O+, and the solution will mainly contain
A– and H3O+ ions. The equilibrium moves in
the direction of formation of weaker acid
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 EQUILIBRIUM
and weaker base because the stronger acid
donates a proton to the stronger base.
It follows that as a strong acid dissociates
completely in water, the resulting base formed
would be very weak i.e., strong acids have
very weak conjugate bases. Strong acids
like perchloric acid (HClO4), hydrochloric acid
(HCl), hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid
(HI), nitric acid (HNO3) and sulphuric acid
(H2SO4) will give conjugate base ions ClO4–, Cl,
Br–, I–, NO3– and HSO4– , which are much weaker
bases than H2O. Similarly a very strong base
would give a very weak conjugate acid. On the
other hand, a weak acid say HA is only partially
dissociated in aqueous medium and thus, the
solution mainly contains undissociated HA
molecules. Typical weak acids are nitrous
acid (HNO2), hydrofluoric acid (HF) and acetic
acid (CH3COOH). It should be noted that the
weak acids have very strong conjugate bases.
For example, NH2–, O 2– and H – are very good
proton acceptors and thus, much stronger
bases than H2O.
Certain water soluble organic compounds
like phenolphthalein and bromothymol blue
behave as weak acids and exhibit different
colours in their acid (HIn) and conjugate base
(In– ) forms.
HIn(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + In–(aq)
acid conjugate conjugate
indicator acid base
colour A colour B
Such compounds are useful as indicators
in acid-base titrations, and finding out H+ ion
concentration.
6.11.1 The Ionization Constant of Water
and its Ionic Product
Some substances like water are unique in
their ability of acting both as an acid and a
base. We have seen this in case of water in
section 6.10.2. In presence of an acid, HA it
accepts a proton and acts as the base while
in the presence of a base, B– it acts as an
acid by donating a proton. In pure water, one
H2O molecule donates proton and acts as an
acid and another water molecules accepts a
proton and acts as a base at the same time.
The following equilibrium exists:
Rationalised 2023-24
Unit 6.indd 193
193
H2O(l) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + OH–(aq)
acid base conjugate conjugate
acid base
The dissociation constant is represented by,
K = [H3O+] [OH–] / [H2O] (6.26)
The concentration of water is omitted from
the denominator as water is a pure liquid and
its concentration remains constant. [H2O] is
incorporated within the equilibrium constant
to give a new constant, Kw, which is called the
ionic product of water.
Kw = [H+][OH–] (6.27)
The concentration of H has been found
+
out experimentally as 1.0 × 10–7 M at 298 K.
And, as dissociation of water produces equal
number of H+ and OH– ions, the concentration
of hydroxyl ions, [OH–] = [H+] = 1.0 × 10–7 M.
Thus, the value of Kw at 298K,
Kw = [H3O+][OH–] = (1 × 10–7)2 = 1 × 10–14 M2
(6.28)
The value of Kw is temperature dependent
as it is an equilibrium constant.
The density of pure water is 1000 g / L
and its molar mass is 18.0 g /mol. From this
the molarity of pure water can be given as,
[H2O] = (1000 g /L)(1 mol/18.0 g) = 55.55 M.
Therefore, the ratio of dissociated water to
that of undissociated water can be given as:
10 –7 / (55.55) = 1.8 × 10–9 or ~ 2 in 10–9 (thus,
equilibrium lies mainly towards undissociated
water)
We can distinguish acidic, neutral and
basic aqueous solutions by the relative values
of the H3O+ and OH– concentrations:
Acidic: [H3O+] > [OH– ]
Neutral: [H3O+] = [OH– ]
Basic : [H3O+] < [OH–]
6.11.2 The pH Scale
Hydronium ion concentration in molarity is
more conveniently expressed on a logarithmic
scale known as the pH scale. The pH of a
solution is defined as the negative logarithm
to base 10 of the activity a H   of hydrogen
9/12/2022 11:58:26 AM
 194
ion. In dilute solutions (< 0.01 M), activity
of hydrogen ion (H+) is equal in magnitude
to molarity represented by [H+]. It should
be noted that activity has no units and is
defined as:
= [H+] / mol L–1
From the definition of pH, the following
can be written,
pH = – log aH+ = – log {[H+] / mol L–1}
Thus, an acidic solution of HCl (10–2 M)
will have a pH = 2. Similarly, a basic solution
of NaOH having [OH–] =10–4 M and [H3O+] =
10–10 M will have a pH = 10. At 25 °C, pure
water has a concentration of hydrogen ions,
[H + ] = 10–7 M. Hence, the pH of pure water is
given as:
pH = –log(10–7) = 7
Acidic solutions possess a concentration
of hydrogen ions, [H + ] > 10–7 M, while basic
solutions possess a concentration of hydrogen
ions, [H+] < 10–7 M. thus, we can summarise
that
Acidic solution has pH < 7
Basic solution has pH > 7
Neutral solution has pH = 7
Now again, consider the equation (6.28)
at 298 K
Kw = [H3O+] [OH–] = 10–14
Taking negative logarithm on both sides
of equation, we obtain
–log Kw = – log {[H3O+] [OH–]}
= – log [H3O+] – log [OH–]
= – log 10 –14
pKw = pH + pOH = 14 (6.29)
Note that although K w may change
with temperature the variations in pH with
temperature are so small that we often
ignore it.
pK w is a very important quantity for
aqueous solutions and controls the relative
concentrations of hydrogen and hydroxyl
ions as their product is a constant. It should
be noted that as the pH scale is logarithmic,
a change in pH by just one unit also means
change in [H+] by a factor of 10. Similarly,
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Unit 6.indd 194
chemistry
when the hydrogen ion concentration, [H+]
changes by a factor of 100, the value of pH
changes by 2 units. Now you can realise why
the change in pH with temperature is often
ignored.
Measurement of pH of a solution is very
essential as its value should be known
when dealing with biological and cosmetic
applications. The pH of a solution can be
found roughly with the help of pH paper that
has different colour in solutions of different
pH. Now-a-days pH paper is available with
four strips on it. The different strips have
different colours (Fig. 6.11) at the same pH.
The pH in the range of 1-14 can be determined
with an accuracy of ~0.5 using pH paper.
Fig.6.11 pH-paper with four strips that may have
different colours at the same pH
For greater accuracy pH meters are used.
pH meter is a device that measures the
pH-dependent electrical potential of the test
solution within 0.001 precision. pH meters
of the size of a writing pen are now available
in the market. The pH of some very common
substances are given in Table 6.5 (page 195).
Problem 6.16
The concentration of hydrogen ion in a
sample of soft drink is 3.8 × 10–3M. what
is its pH ?
Solution
pH = – log[3.8 × 10–3]
= – {log[3.8] + log[10–3]}
= – {(0.58) + (– 3.0)} = – { – 2.42} = 2.42
Therefore, the pH of the soft drink is 2.42
and it can be inferred that it is acidic.
Problem 6.17
Calculate pH of a 1.0 × 10 –8 M solution of
HCl.
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 EQUILIBRIUM 195

Table 6.5 The pH of Some Common Substances

Name of the Fluid pH Name of the Fluid pH

Saturated solution of NaOH ~15 Black Coffee 5.0

0.1 M NaOH solution 13 Tomato juice ~4.2
Lime water 10.5 Soft drinks and vinegar ~3.0
Milk of magnesia 10 Lemon juice ~2.2
Egg white, sea water 7.8 Gastric juice ~1.2
Human blood 7.4 1M HCl solution ~0
Milk 6.8 Concentrated HCl ~–1.0
Human Saliva 6.4

Solution equilibrium constant for the above discussed

acid-dissociation equilibrium:
2H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + OH–(aq) Ka = c2α2 / c(1-α) = cα2 / 1-α
Kw = [OH ][H3O+]
–
Ka is called the dissociation or ionization
= 10–14 constant of acid HX. It can be represented
Let, x = [OH –] = [H 3O +] from H 2O. The alternatively in terms of molar concentration
H3O+ concentration is generated (i) from as follows,
the ionization of HCl dissolved i.e.,
Ka = [H+][X –] / [HX] (6.30)
HCl(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+ (aq) + Cl –(aq),
At a given temperature T, K a is a
and (ii) from ionization of H2O. In these very measure of the strength of the acid HX i.e.,
dilute solutions, both sources of H3O+ must larger the value of Ka, the stronger is the
be considered:
acid. Ka is a dimensionless quantity with
[H3O+] = 10–8 + x the understanding that the standard state
Kw = (10–8 + x)(x) = 10–14 concentration of all species is 1M.
or x2 + 10–8 x – 10–14 = 0 The values of the ionization constants
[OH – ] = x = 9.5 × 10–8 of some selected weak acids are given in
So, pOH = 7.02 and pH = 6.98 Table 6.6.
Table 6.6 The Ionization Constants of Some
6.11.3 Ionization Constants of Weak Acids Selected Weak Acids (at 298K)
Consider a weak acid HX that is partially Acid Ionization Constant,
ionized in the aqueous solution. The Ka
equilibrium can be expressed by:
Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) 3.5 × 10–4
HX(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + X –(aq)
Nitrous Acid (HNO2) 4.5 × 10–4
Initial
Formic Acid (HCOOH) 1.8 × 10–4
concentration (M)
c 0 0 Niacin (C5H4NCOOH) 1.5 × 10–5
Let α be the extent of ionization Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) 1.74 × 10–5
Change (M) Benzoic Acid (C6H5COOH) 6.5 × 10–5
-cα +cα +cα Hypochlorous Acid (HCIO) 3.0 × 10–8
Equilibrium concentration (M) Hydrocyanic Acid (HCN) 4.9 × 10–10
c-cα cα cα Phenol (C6H5OH) 1.3 × 10–10
Here, c = initial concentration of the
undissociated acid, HX at time, t = 0. α = The pH scale for the hydrogen ion
extent up to which HX is ionized into ions. concentration has been so useful that besides
Using these notations, we can derive the pKw, it has been extended to other species and

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 196 chemistry

quantities. Thus, we have:

Solution
pKa = –log (Ka) (6.31)
The following proton transfer reactions are
Knowing the ionization constant, K a possible:
of an acid and its initial concentration, c, 1) HF + H2O H3O+ + F –
it is possible to calculate the equilibrium
Ka = 3.2 × 10–4
concentration of all species and also the
degree of ionization of the acid and the pH of 2) H2O + H2O H3O + OH –
+

the solution. Kw = 1.0 × 10–14

A general step-wise approach can be As Ka >> Kw, [1] is the principle reaction.
adopted to evaluate the pH of the weak HF + H2O H3O+ + F–
electrolyte as follows: Initial
Step 1. The species present before concentration (M)
dissociation are identified as Brönsted-Lowry 0.02 0 0
acids/bases. Change (M)
Step 2. Balanced equations for all possible –0.02α +0.02α +0.02α
reactions i.e., with a species acting both as
Equilibrium
acid as well as base are written.
Step 3. The reaction with the higher Ka is concentration (M)
identified as the primary reaction whilst the 0.02 – 0.02 α 0.02 α 0.02α
other is a subsidiary reaction. Substituting equilibrium concentrations
Step 4. Enlist in a tabular form the following in the equilibrium reaction for principal
values for each of the species in the primary reaction gives:
reaction Ka = (0.02α)2 / (0.02 – 0.02α)
(a) Initial concentration, c. = 0.02 α2 / (1 –α) = 3.2 × 10–4
(b) Change in concentration on proceeding We obtain the following quadratic equation:
to equilibrium in terms of α, degree of α2 + 1.6 × 10–2α – 1.6 × 10–2 = 0
ionization. The quadratic equation in α can be solved
(c) Equilibrium concentration. and the two values of the roots are:
Step 5. Substitute equilibrium concentrations α = + 0.12 and – 0.12
into equilibrium constant equation for The negative root is not acceptable and
principal reaction and solve for α. hence,
Step 6. Calculate the concentration of species α = 0.12
in principal reaction. This means that the degree of ionization,
Step 7. Calculate pH = – log[H3O+] α = 0.12, then equilibrium concentrations
of other species viz., HF, F – and H3O+ are
The above mentioned methodology has given by:
been elucidated in the following examples.
[H3O+] = [F –] = cα = 0.02 × 0.12
= 2.4 × 10–3 M
Problem 6.18 [HF] = c(1 – α) = 0.02 (1 – 0.12)
The ionization constant of HF is
3.2 × 10 –4 . Calculate the degree of = 17.6 × 10-3 M
dissociation of HF in its 0.02 M solution. pH = – log[H+] = –log(2.4 × 10–3) = 2.62
Calculate the concentration of all species Problem 6.19
present (H3O+, F – and HF) in the solution
and its pH. The pH of 0.1M monobasic acid is 4.50.
Calculate the concentration of species H+, A–

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 EQUILIBRIUM 197

and HA at equilibrium. Also, determine the Percent dissociation

value of Ka and pKa of the monobasic acid. = {[HOCl]dissociated / [HOCl]initial }× 100
Solution = 1.41 × 10–3 × 102/ 0.08 = 1.76 %.
pH = –log(1.41 × 10–3) = 2.85.
pH = – log [H+]
Therefore, [H+] = 10 –pH
= 10 –4.50 6.11.4 Ionization of Weak Bases
= 3.16 × 10 –5 The ionization of base MOH can be represented
by equation:
[H+] = [A–] = 3.16 × 10–5
MOH(aq) M+(aq) + OH–(aq)
Thus, Ka = [H+][A-] / [HA]
In a weak base there is partial ionization
[HA]eqlbm = 0.1 – (3.16 × 10-5)  0.1 of MOH into M+ and OH–, the case is similar
Ka = (3.16 × 10–5)2 / 0.1 = 1.0 × 10–8 to that of acid-dissociation equilibrium. The
equilibrium constant for base ionization
pKa = – log(10–8) = 8 is called base ionization constant and is
Alternatively, “Percent dissociation” is represented by Kb. It can be expressed in
another useful method for measure of terms of concentration in molarity of various
strength of a weak acid and is given as: species in equilibrium by the following
Percent dissociation equation:
= [HA]dissociated/[HA]initial × 100% (6.32) Kb = [M+][OH–] / [MOH] (6.33)
Alternatively, if c = initial concentration
Problem 6.20 of base and α = degree of ionization of base
Calculate the pH of 0.08M solution of i.e. the extent to which the base ionizes.
hypochlorous acid, HOCl. The ionization When equilibrium is reached, the equilibrium
constant of the acid is 2.5 × 10 –5. Determine constant can be written as:
the percent dissociation of HOCl. Kb = (cα)2 / c (1-α) = cα2 / (1-α)
Solution The values of the ionization constants of
HOCl(aq) + H2O (l) H3O+(aq) + ClO–(aq) some selected weak bases, Kb are given in
Table 6.7.
Initial concentration (M)
0.08 0 0 Table 6.7 The Values of the Ionization
Constant of Some Weak Bases at
Change to reach 298 K
equilibrium concentration Base Kb
(M)
Dimethylamine, (CH3)2NH 5.4 × 10–4
– x + x +x
Triethylamine, (C2H5)3N 6.45 × 10–5
equilibrium concentartion (M)
Ammonia, NH3 or NH4OH 1.77 × 10–5
0.08 – x x x
Quinine, (A plant product) 1.10 × 10–6
Ka = {[H3O ][ClO ] / [HOCl]}
+ –
Pyridine, C5H5N 1.77 × 10–9
= x / (0.08 –x)
2
Aniline, C6H5NH2 4.27 × 10–10
As x << 0.08, therefore 0.08 – x  0.08 Urea, CO (NH2)2 1.3 × 10–14
x2 / 0.08 = 2.5 × 10–5 Many organic compounds like amines
x2 = 2.0 × 10–6, thus, x = 1.41 × 10–3 are weak bases. Amines are derivatives of
[H+] = 1.41 × 10–3 M. ammonia in which one or more hydrogen
Therefore, atoms are replaced by another group. For
example, methylamine, codeine, quinine and

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 198 chemistry

nicotine all behave as very weak bases due to

Kb = 10–4.75 = 1.77 × 10–5 M
their very small Kb. Ammonia produces OH– in
aqueous solution: NH3 + H2O NH4+ + OH–
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq) Initial concentration (M)
0.10 0.20 0
The pH scale for the hydrogen ion
concentration has been extended to get: Change to reach
pKb = –log (Kb) (6.34) equilibrium (M)
–x +x +x
At equilibrium (M)
Problem 6.21 0.10 – x 0.20 + x x
The pH of 0.004M hydrazine solution is 9.7. Kb = [NH4+][OH–] / [NH3]
Calculate its ionization constant Kb and pKb.
= (0.20 + x)(x) / (0.1 – x) = 1.77 × 10–5
Solution
As Kb is small, we can neglect x in comparison
NH2NH2 + H2O NH2NH3 +
+ OH
– to 0.1M and 0.2M. Thus,
From the pH we can calculate the hydrogen [OH–] = x = 0.88 × 10–5
ion concentration. Knowing hydrogen ion Therefore, [H+] = 1.12 × 10–9
concentration and the ionic product of
pH = – log[H+] = 8.95.
water we can calculate the concentration
of hydroxyl ions. Thus we have:
6.11.5 Relation between Ka and Kb
[H+] = antilog (–pH) As seen earlier in this chapter, Ka and Kb
= antilog (–9.7) = 1.67 ×10–10 represent the strength of an acid and a base,
[OH–] = Kw / [H+] = 1 × 10–14 / 1.67 × 10–10 respectively. In case of a conjugate acid-base
= 5.98 × 10–5 pair, they are related in a simple manner so
that if one is known, the other can be deduced.
The concentration of the corresponding
Considering the example of NH4+ and NH3
hydrazinium ion is also the same as that
of hydroxyl ion. The concentration of both we see,
these ions is very small so the concentration NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + NH3(aq)
of the undissociated base can be taken Ka = [H3O+][ NH3] / [NH4+] = 5.6 × 10–10
equal to 0.004M.
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)
Thus,
Kb =[ NH4 ][ OH ] / NH3 = 1.8 × 10–5
+ –

Kb = [NH2NH3+][OH–] / [NH2NH2]
= (5.98 × 10–5)2 / 0.004 = 8.96 × 10–7
pKb = –logKb = –log(8.96 × 10–7) = 6.04.
Problem 6.22
Calculate the pH of the solution in which
0.2M NH4Cl and 0.1M NH3 are present. The
pKb of ammonia solution is 4.75.
Solution
NH3 + H2O NH4+ + OH–
The ionization constant of NH3,
Kb = antilog (–pKb) i.e.
Net: 2 H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + OH –(aq)
Kw = [H3O+][ OH– ] = 1.0 × 10–14 M
Where, Ka represents the strength of NH4+
as an acid and Kb represents the strength of
NH3 as a base.
It can be seen from the net reaction that
the equilibrium constant is equal to the
product of equilibrium constants Ka and Kb
for the reactions added. Thus,
Ka × K b = {[H3O+][ NH3] / [NH4+ ]} × {[NH4+]
[OH–] / [NH3]}
= [H3O+][OH–] = Kw
= (5.6 ×10–10) × (1.8 × 10–5) = 1.0 × 10–14 M

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 EQUILIBRIUM 199

This can be extended to make a

NH3 + H2O NH4+ + OH–
generalisation. The equilibrium constant
for a net reaction obtained after adding We use equation (6.33) to calculate
hydroxyl ion concentration,
two (or more) reactions equals the product
of the equilibrium constants for individual [OH–] = c α = 0.05 α
reactions: Kb = 0.05 α2 / (1 – α)
K NET = K1 × K2 × …… (6.35) The value of α is small, therefore the
quadratic equation can be simplified by
Similarly, in case of a conjugate acid-base neglecting α in comparison to 1 in the
pair, denominator on right hand side of the
Ka × Kb = Kw (6.36) equation,
Knowing one, the other can be obtained. Thus,
It should be noted that a strong acid will have Kb = c α2 or α = √ (1.77 × 10–5 / 0.05)
a weak conjugate base and vice-versa. = 0.018.
Alternatively, the above expression [OH ] = c α = 0.05 × 0.018 = 9.4 × 10–4M.
–

K w = K a × K b , can also be obtained by

considering the base-dissociation equilibrium
reaction:
B(aq) + H2O(l) BH+(aq) + OH–(aq)
K b = [BH+][OH–] / [B]
As the concentration of water remains
constant it has been omitted from the
denominator and incorporated within the
dissociation constant. Then multiplying and
dividing the above expression by [H+], we get:
Kb = [BH+][OH –][H+] / [B][H+]
={[ OH–][H+]}{[BH+] / [B][H+]}
= Kw / Ka
or Ka × Kb = Kw
It may be noted that if we take negative
logarithm of both sides of the equation, then
pK values of the conjugate acid and base are
related to each other by the equation:
pKa + pKb = pKw = 14 (at 298K)
Problem 6.23
Determine the degree of ionization and pH of
a 0.05M of ammonia solution. The ionization
constant of ammonia can be taken from
Table 6.7. Also, calculate the ionization
constant of the conjugate acid of ammonia.
Solution
The ionization of NH3 in water is represented
by equation:
[H+] = Kw / [OH–] = 10–14 / (9.4 × 10–4)
= 1.06 × 10–11
pH = –log(1.06 × 10–11) = 10.97.
Now, using the relation for conjugate
acid-base pair,
Ka × Kb = Kw
using the value of K b of NH 3 from
Table 6.7.
We can determine the concentration of
conjugate acid NH4+
Ka = Kw / Kb = 10–14 / 1.77 × 10–5
= 5.64 × 10–10.
6.11.6 Di- and Polybasic Acids and Di-
and Polyacidic Bases
Some of the acids like oxalic acid, sulphuric
acid and phosphoric acids have more than
one ionizable proton per molecule of the
acid. Such acids are known as polybasic or
polyprotic acids.
The ionization reactions for example for
a dibasic acid H2X are represented by the
equations:
H2X(aq) H+(aq) + HX–(aq)
HX–(aq) H+(aq) + X2–(aq)
And the corresponding equilibrium
constants are given below:
Ka1= {[H+][HX–]} / [H2X] and

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Unit 6.indd 199 9/12/2022 11:58:28 AM

 200
Ka2 = {[H+][X2-]} / [HX-]
Here, Ka1and Ka2are called the first and second
ionization constants respectively of the acid H2
X. Similarly, for tribasic acids like H3PO4 we
have three ionization constants. The values
of the ionization constants for some common
polyprotic acids are given in Table 6.8.
Table 6.8 The Ionization Constants of Some
Common Polyprotic Acids (298K)
It can be seen that higher order ionization
constants (K a2, K a3) are smaller than the
lower order ionization constant (K a1) of a
polyprotic acid. The reason for this is that
it is more difficult to remove a positively
charged proton from a negative ion due to
electrostatic forces. This can be seen in the
case of removing a proton from the uncharged
H2CO3 as compared from a negatively charged
HCO3–. Similarly, it is more difficult to remove
a proton from a doubly charged HPO42– anion
as compared to H2PO4–.
Polyprotic acid solutions contain a
mixture of acids like H2A, HA– and A2– in case
of a diprotic acid. H2A being a strong acid, the
primary reaction involves the dissociation of
H2 A, and H3O+ in the solution comes mainly
from the first dissociation step.
6.11.7 Factors Affecting Acid Strength
Having discussed quantitatively the strengths
of acids and bases, we come to a stage where
we can calculate the pH of a given acid
solution. But, the curiosity rises about why
should some acids be stronger than others?
What factors are responsible for making
them stronger? The answer lies in its being a
complex phenomenon. But, broadly speaking
we can say that the extent of dissociation of
an acid depends on the strength and polarity
of the H-A bond.
Rationalised 2023-24
Unit 6.indd 200
chemistry
In general, when strength of H-A bond
decreases, that is, the energy required to break
the bond decreases, HA becomes a stronger
acid. Also, when the H-A bond becomes more
polar i.e., the electronegativity difference
between the atoms H and A increases and
there is marked charge separation, cleavage
of the bond becomes easier thereby increasing
the acidity.
But it should be noted that while comparing
elements in the same group of the periodic
table, H-A bond strength is a more important
factor in determining acidity than its polar
nature. As the size of A increases down the
group, H-A bond strength decreases and so
the acid strength increases. For example,
Size increases
HF << HCl << HBr << HI
Acid strength increases
Similarly, H2S is stronger acid than H2O.
But, when we discuss elements in the same
row of the periodic table, H-A bond polarity
becomes the deciding factor for determining
the acid strength. As the electronegativity
of A increases, the strength of the acid also
increases. For example,
Electronegativity of A increases
CH4 < NH3 < H2O < HF
Acid strength increases
6.11.8 Common Ion Effect in the
Ionization of Acids and Bases
Consider an example of acetic acid dissociation
equilibrium represented as:
CH3COOH(aq) H+(aq) + CH3COO– (aq)
or HAc(aq) H+ (aq) + Ac– (aq)
Ka = [H+][Ac– ] / [HAc]
Addition of acetate ions to an acetic
acid solution results in decreasing the
concentration of hydrogen ions, [H+]. Also,
if H+ ions are added from an external source
then the equilibrium moves in the direction
of undissociated acetic acid i.e., in a direction
of reducing the concentration of hydrogen
ions, [H+]. This phenomenon is an example
9/12/2022 11:58:28 AM
 EQUILIBRIUM 201

of common ion effect. It can be defined as

a shift in equilibrium on adding a substance
that provides more of an ionic species already
present in the dissociation equilibrium.
Thus, we can say that common ion effect is
a phenomenon based on the Le Chatelier’s
principle discussed in section 6.8.
In order to evaluate the pH of the solution
resulting on addition of 0.05M acetate ion to
0.05M acetic acid solution, we shall consider
the acetic acid dissociation equilibrium once
again,
HAc(aq) H+(aq) + Ac–(aq)
Initial concentration (M)
0.05 0 0.05
Let x be the extent of ionization of acetic
acid.
Change in concentration (M)
–x +x +x
Equilibrium concentration (M)
0.05-x x 0.05+x
Therefore,
Ka= [H+][Ac– ]/[H Ac] = {(0.05+x)(x)}/(0.05-x)
As Ka is small for a very weak acid, x<<0.05.
Hence, (0.05 + x) ≈ (0.05 – x) ≈ 0.05
Thus,
1.8 × 10–5 = (x) (0.05 + x) / (0.05 – x)
= x(0.05) / (0.05) = x = [H+] = 1.8 × 10–5M
pH = – log(1.8 × 10–5) = 4.74
Problem 6.24
Calculate the pH of a 0.10M ammonia
solution. Calculate the pH after 50.0 mL
of this solution is treated with 25.0 mL of
0.10M HCl. The dissociation constant of
ammonia, Kb = 1.77 × 10–5
Thus, x = 1.33 × 10–3 = [OH–]
Therefore, [H+] = Kw / [OH–] = 10–14 /
(1.33 × 10–3) = 7.51 × 10–12
pH = –log (7.5 × 10–12) = 11.12
On addition of 25 mL of 0.1M HCl
solution (i.e., 2.5 mmol of HCl) to 50
mL of 0.1M ammonia solution (i.e., 5
mmol of NH3), 2.5 mmol of ammonia
molecules are neutralized. The resulting
75 mL solution contains the remaining
unneutralized 2.5 mmol of NH3 molecules
and 2.5 mmol of NH4+.
NH3 + HCl → NH4+ + Cl–
2.5 2.5 0 0
At equilibrium
0 0 2.5 2.5
The resulting 75 mL of solution contains
2.5 mmol of NH4+ ions (i.e., 0.033 M) and
2.5 mmol (i.e., 0.033 M ) of uneutralised
NH3 molecules. This NH3 exists in the
following equilibrium:
NH4OH   NH4+ + OH–
0.033M – y y y
where, y = [OH ] = [NH4 ]
– +
The final 75 mL solution after
neutralisation already contains
2.5 m mol NH4+ ions (i.e. 0.033M), thus
total concentration of NH4+ ions is given
as:
[NH4+] = 0.033 + y
As y is small, [NH4OH]  0.033 M and
[NH4+]  0.033M.
We know,
Kb = [NH4+][OH–] / [NH4OH]
= y (0.033)/(0.033) = 1.77 × 10–5 M
Thus, y = 1.77 × 10–5 = [OH–]

Solution [H+] = 10–14 / 1.77 × 10–5 = 0.56 × 10–9

Hence, pH = 9.24
NH3 + H2O → NH4+ + OH–
Kb = [NH4+][OH–] / [NH3] = 1.77 × 10–5
Before neutralization, 6.11.9 Hydrolysis of Salts and the pH of
their Solutions
[NH4+] = [OH–] = x
[NH3] = 0.10 – x  0.10 Salts formed by the reactions between acids
and bases in definite proportions, undergo
x2 / 0.10 = 1.77 × 10–5
ionization in water. The cations/anions

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 202
formed on ionization of salts either exist as
hydrated ions in aqueous solutions or interact
with water to reform corresponding acids/
bases depending upon the nature of salts.
The later process of interaction between
water and cations/anions or both of salts
is called hydrolysis. The pH of the solution
gets affected by this interaction. The cations
(e.g., Na+, K+, Ca2+, Ba2+, etc.) of strong bases
and anions (e.g., Cl–, Br–, NO3–, ClO4– etc.) of
strong acids simply get hydrated but do not
hydrolyse, and therefore the solutions of
salts formed from strong acids and bases are
neutral i.e., their pH is 7. However, the other
category of salts do undergo hydrolysis.
We now consider the hydrolysis of the
salts of the following types :
(i) salts of weak acid and strong base e.g.,
CH3COONa.
(ii) salts of strong acid and weak base e.g.,
NH4Cl, and
(iii) salts of weak acid and weak base, e.g.,
CH3COONH4.
In the first case, CH3COONa being a salt of
weak acid, CH3COOH and strong base, NaOH
gets completely ionised in aqueous solution.
CH3COONa(aq) → CH3COO– (aq)+ Na+(aq)
Acetate ion thus formed undergoes
hydrolysis in water to give acetic acid and
OH– ions
CH3COO–(aq)+H2O(l) CH3COOH(aq)+OH–(aq)
Acetic acid being a weak acid
(Ka = 1.8 × 10–5) remains mainly unionised in
solution. This results in increase of OH– ion
concentration in solution making it alkaline.
The pH of such a solution is more than 7.
Similarly, NH 4 Cl formed from weak
base, NH4OH and strong acid, HCl, in water
dissociates completely.
+ control of pH is also very important in
NH4Cl(aq) → NH 4(aq) +Cl– (aq)
Ammonium ions undergo hydrolysis with
water to form NH4OH and H+ ions
+
NH 4 (aq) + H2O (1) NH4OH(aq) + H+(aq)
Ammonium hydroxide is a weak base
(K b = 1.77 × 10 –5) and therefore remains
almost unionised in solution. This results in
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Unit 6.indd 202
chemistry
increased of H+ ion concentration in solution
making the solution acidic. Thus, the pH of
NH4Cl solution in water is less than 7.
Consider the hydrolysis of CH3COONH4
salt formed from weak acid and weak base.
The ions formed undergo hydrolysis as follow:
CH3COO– + NH4+ + H2O CH3COOH +
NH4OH
CH3COOH and NH4OH, also remain into
partially dissociated form:
CH3COOH CH3COO– + H+
NH4OH NH4+ + OH–
H2O H+ + OH–
Without going into detailed calculation,
it can be said that degree of hydrolysis is
independent of concentration of solution, and
pH of such solutions is determined by their
pK values:
pH = 7 + ½ (pKa – pKb) (6.38)
The pH of solution can be greater than 7,
if the difference is positive and it will be less
than 7, if the difference is negative.
Problem 6.25
The pKa of acetic acid and pKb of ammonium
hydroxide are 4.76 and 4.75 respectively.
Calculate the pH of ammonium acetate
solution.
Solution
pH = 7 + ½ [pKa – pKb]
= 7 + ½ [4.76 – 4.75]
= 7 + ½ [0.01] = 7 + 0.005 = 7.005
6.12 BUFFER SOLUTIONS
Many body fluids e.g., blood or urine have
definite pH and any deviation in their pH
indicates malfunctioning of the body. The
many chemical and biochemical processes.
Many medical and cosmetic formulations
require that these be kept and administered
at a particular pH. The solutions which
resist change in pH on dilution or with
the addition of small amounts of acid or
alkali are called Buffer Solutions. Buffer
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 EQUILIBRIUM
solutions of known pH can be prepared from
the knowledge of pKa of the acid or pKb of base
and by controlling the ratio of the salt and acid
or salt and base. A mixture of acetic acid and
sodium acetate acts as buffer solution around
pH 4.75 and a mixture of ammonium chloride
and ammonium hydroxide acts as a buffer
around pH 9.25. You will learn more about
buffer solutions in higher classes.
6.12.1 Designing Buffer Solution
Knowledge of pK a , pK b and equilibrium
constant help us to prepare the buffer solution
of known pH. Let us see how we can do this.
Preparation of Acidic Buffer
To prepare a buffer of acidic pH we use weak
acid and its salt formed with strong base.
We develop the equation relating the pH, the
equilibrium constant, Ka of weak acid and
ratio of concentration of weak acid and its
conjugate base. For the general case where
the weak acid HA ionises in water,
HA + H2O  H3O+ + A–
For which we can write the expression
Rearranging the expression we have,
Taking logarithm on both the sides and
rearranging the terms we get —
Or
(6.39)
(6.40)
The expression (6.40) is known as
Henderson–Hasselbalch equation. The
quantity is the ratio of concentration
of conjugate base (anion) of the acid and the
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Unit 6.indd 203
203
acid present in the mixture. Since acid is a
weak acid, it ionises to a very little extent and
concentration of [HA] is negligibly different
from concentration of acid taken to form
buffer. Also, most of the conjugate base, [A—],
comes from the ionisation of salt of the acid.
Therefore, the concentration of conjugate
base will be negligibly different from the
concentration of salt. Thus, equation (6.40)
takes the form:
[Salt]
pH=pK a + log
[Acid]
In the equation (6.39), if the concentration
of [A—] is equal to the concentration of [HA],
then pH = pKa because value of log 1 is zero.
Thus if we take molar concentration of acid
and salt (conjugate base) same, the pH of the
buffer solution will be equal to the pKa of the
acid. So for preparing the buffer solution of
the required pH we select that acid whose pKa
is close to the required pH. For acetic acid
pKa value is 4.76, therefore pH of the buffer
solution formed by acetic acid and sodium
acetate taken in equal molar concentration
will be around 4.76.
A similar analysis of a buffer made with
a weak base and its conjugate acid leads to
the result,
[Conjugate acid,BH+ ]
pOH= pK b +log
[Base,B]
(6.41)
pH of the buffer solution can be calculated
by using the equation pH + pOH =14.
We know that pH + pOH = pK w and
pKa + pKb = pKw. On putting these values in
equation (6.41) it takes the form as follows:
[Conjugate acid,BH ]
pK w - pH = pK w  pK a  log
[Base,B]
or
[Conjugate acid,BH+ ]
pH = pK a + log
[Base,B]
(6.42)
If molar concentration of base and its
conjugate acid (cation) is same then pH of
the buffer solution will be same as pKa for the
base. pKa value for ammonia is s9.25; therefore
a buffer of pH close to 9.25 can be obtained
by taking ammonia solution and ammonium
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 204
chloride solution of same molar concentration.
For a buffer solution formed by ammonium
chloride and ammonium hydroxide, equation
(6.42) becomes:
[Conjugate acid,BH+ ]
pH = 9.25 + log
[Base,B]
pH of the buffer solution is not affected by
dilution because ratio under the logarithmic
term remains unchanged.
6.13 SOLUBILITY EQUILIBRIA OF
SPARINGLY SOLUBLE SALTS
We have already known that the solubility of
ionic solids in water varies a great deal. Some of
these (like calcium chloride) are so soluble that
they are hygroscopic in nature and even absorb
water vapour from atmosphere. Others (such
as lithium fluoride) have so little solubility
that they are commonly termed as insoluble.
The solubility depends on a number of factors
important amongst which are the lattice
enthalpy of the salt and the solvation enthalpy
of the ions in a solution. For a salt to dissolve
in a solvent the strong forces of attraction
between its ions (lattice enthalpy) must be
overcome by the ion-solvent interactions. The
solvation enthalpy of ions is referred to in
terms of solvation which is always negative i.e.
energy is released in the process of solvation.
The amount of solvation enthalpy depends on
the nature of the solvent. In case of a non-
polar (covalent) solvent, solvation enthalpy is
small and hence, not sufficient to overcome
lattice enthalpy of the salt. Consequently, the
salt does not dissolve in non-polar solvent. As
a general rule, for a salt to be able to dissolve
in a particular solvent its solvation enthalpy
must be greater than its lattice enthalpy so
that the latter may be overcome by former.
Each salt has its characteristic solubility which
depends on temperature. We classify salts on
the basis of their solubility in the following
three categories.
Category I Soluble Solubility > 0.1M
Category II Slightly 0.01M<Solubility< 0.1M
Soluble
Category III Sparingly Solubility < 0.01M
Soluble
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Unit 6.indd 204
chemistry
We shall now consider the equilibrium
between the sparingly soluble ionic salt and
its saturated aqueous solution.
6.13.1 Solubility Product Constant
Let us now have a solid like barium sulphate
in contact with its saturated aqueous solution.
The equilibrium between the undisolved solid
and the ions in a saturated solution can be
represented by the equation:
BaSO4(s)  Ba2+(aq) + SO42–(aq),
The equilibrium constant is given by the
equation:
K = {[Ba2+][SO42–]} / [BaSO4]
For a pure solid substance the
concentration remains constant and we can
write
Ksp = K[BaSO4] = [Ba2+][SO42–] (6.43)
We call Ksp the solubility product constant
or simply solubility product. The experimental
value of Ksp in above equation at 298K is
1.1 × 10–10. This means that for solid barium
sulphate in equilibrium with its saturated
solution, the product of the concentrations
of barium and sulphate ions is equal
to its solubility product constant. The
concentrations of the two ions will be equal to
the molar solubility of the barium sulphate.
If molar solubility is S, then
1.1 × 10–10 = (S)(S) = S2
or S = 1.05 × 10–5.
Thus, molar solubility of barium sulphate
will be equal to 1.05 × 10–5 mol L–1.
A salt may give on dissociation two or
more than two anions and cations carrying
different charges. For example, consider a salt
like zirconium phosphate of molecular formula
(Zr4+)3(PO43–)4. It dissociates into 3 zirconium
cations of charge +4 and 4 phosphate
anions of charge –3. If the molar solubility of
zirconium phosphate is S, then it can be seen
from the stoichiometry of the compound that
[Zr4+] = 3S and [PO43–] = 4S
and Ksp = (3S)3 (4S)4 = 6912 (S)7
or S = {Ksp / (33 × 44)}1/7 = (Ksp / 6912)1/7
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 EQUILIBRIUM 205

p q
A solid salt of the general formula M x X y Table 6.9 The Solubility Product Constants,
with molar solubility S in equilibrium with Ksp of Some Common Ionic Salts at
its saturated solution may be represented by 298K.
the equation:
MxXy(s) xMp+(aq) + yXq– (aq)
(where x × p = y × q–)
+

And its solubility product constant is

given by:
Ksp = [Mp+]x[Xq– ]y = (xS)x(yS)y (6.44)
= xx . yy . S(x + y)
S(x + y) = Ksp / xx . yy
S = (Ksp / xx . yy)1 / x + y (6.45)
The term Ksp in equation is given by Qsp
(section 6.6.2) when the concentration of one
or more species is not the concentration under
equilibrium. Obviously under equilibrium
conditions Ksp = Qsp but otherwise it gives the
direction of the processes of precipitation or
dissolution. The solubility product constants
of a number of common salts at 298K are
given in Table 6.9.

Problem 6.26
Calculate the solubility of A2 X3 in pure
water, assuming that neither kind of ion
reacts with water. The solubility product of
A2X3, Ksp = 1.1 × 10–23.
Solution
A2X3 → 2A3+ + 3X2–
Ksp = [A3+]2 [X2–]3 = 1.1 × 10–23
If S = solubility of A2X3, then
[A3+] = 2S; [X2–] = 3S
therefore, Ksp = (2S)2(3S)3 = 108S5
  = 1.1 × 10–23
thus, S5 = 1 × 10–25
S = 1.0 × 10–5 mol/L.
Problem 6.27
The values of Ksp of two sparingly soluble
salts Ni(OH)2 and AgCN are 2.0 × 10–15 and
6 × 0–17 respectively. Which salt is more
soluble? Explain.
Solution
AgCN Ag+ + CN–

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 206 chemistry

Ksp = [Ag+][CN–] = 6 × 10–17 Dissolution of S mol/L of Ni(OH)2 provides

Ni(OH)2 Ni2+ + 2OH– S mol/L of Ni2+ and 2S mol/L of OH–, but
the total concentration of OH– = (0.10 + 2S)
Ksp = [Ni ][OH–]2 = 2 × 10–15
2+
mol/L because the solution already contains
Let [Ag+] = S1, then [CN-] = S1 0.10 mol/L of OH– from NaOH.
Let [Ni2+] = S2, then [OH–] = 2S2
Ksp = 2.0 × 10–15 = [Ni2+] [OH–]2
S12 = 6 × 10–17 , S1 = 7.8 × 10–9
= (S) (0.10 + 2S)2
(S2)(2S2)2 = 2 × 10–15, S2 = 0.58 × 10–4
As Ksp is small, 2S << 0.10,
Ni(OH)2 is more soluble than AgCN.
thus, (0.10 + 2S) ≈ 0.10
6.13.2 Common Ion Effect on Solubility Hence,
of Ionic Salts 2.0 × 10–15 = S (0.10)2
It is expected from Le Chatelier’s principle S = 2.0 × 10–13 M = [Ni2+]
that if we increase the concentration of any
one of the ions, it should combine with the
ion of its opposite charge and some of the The solubility of salts of weak acids like
salt will be precipitated till once again Ksp = phosphates increases at lower pH. This is
Qsp. Similarly, if the concentration of one of because at lower pH the concentration of the
the ions is decreased, more salt will dissolve anion decreases due to its protonation. This
to increase the concentration of both the ions in turn increase the solubility of the salt so
till once again Ksp = Qsp. This is applicable that Ksp = Qsp. We have to satisfy two equilibria
even to soluble salts like sodium chloride simultaneously i.e.,
except that due to higher concentrations
of the ions, we use their activities instead Ksp = [M+] [X–],
of their molarities in the expression for
Qsp. Thus if we take a saturated solution of
sodium chloride and pass HCl gas through it,
then sodium chloride is precipitated due to
increased concentration (activity) of chloride
ion available from the dissociation of HCl. [X –] / [HX] = Ka/[H+]
Sodium chloride thus obtained is of very Taking inverse of both side and adding 1
high purity and we can get rid of impurities we get
like sodium and magnesium sulphates. The
common ion effect is also used for almost HX   1  H  
1
complete precipitation of a particular ion  X   Ka
as its sparingly soluble salt, with very low
HX   H   H   K a
value of solubility product for gravimetric   
estimation. Thus we can precipitate silver ion  X   Ka
as silver chloride, ferric ion as its hydroxide
(or hydrated ferric oxide) and barium ion as Now, again taking inverse, we get
its sulphate for quantitative estimations. [X–] / {[X–] + [HX]} = f = Ka/(Ka + [H+]) and it
can be seen that ‘f’ decreases as pH decreases.
Problem 6.28 If S is the solubility of the salt at a given
Calculate the molar solubility of Ni(OH)2 in pH then
0.10 M NaOH. The ionic product of Ni(OH)2
is 2.0 × 10–15. Ksp = [S] [f S] = S2 {Ka/(Ka + [H+])} and
S = {Ksp ([H+] + Ka)/Ka}1/2  (6.46)
Solution
Thus solubility S increases with increase
Let the solubility of Ni(OH)2 be equal to S. in [H+] or decrease in pH.

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 EQUILIBRIUM 207

SUMMARY

When the number of molecules leaving the liquid to vapour equals the number of molecules
returning to the liquid from vapour, equilibrium is said to be attained and is dynamic in
nature. Equilibrium can be established for both physical and chemical processes and at
this stage rate of forward and reverse reactions are equal. Equilibrium constant, Kc is
expressed as the concentration of products divided by reactants, each term raised to the
stoichiometric coefficient.

For reaction, a A + b B c C +d D
Kc = [C]c[D]d/[A]a[B]b
Equilibrium constant has constant value at a fixed temperature and at this stage all the
macroscopic properties such as concentration, pressure, etc. become constant. For a gaseous
reaction equilibrium constant is expressed as Kp and is written by replacing concentration
terms by partial pressures in Kc expression. The direction of reaction can be predicted by
reaction quotient Qc which is equal to Kc at equilibrium. Le Chatelier’s principle states that
the change in any factor such as temperature, pressure, concentration, etc. will cause the
equilibrium to shift in such a direction so as to reduce or counteract the effect of the change.
It can be used to study the effect of various factors such as temperature, concentration,
pressure, catalyst and inert gases on the direction of equilibrium and to control the yield of
products by controlling these factors. Catalyst does not effect the equilibrium composition
of a reaction mixture but increases the rate of chemical reaction by making available a new
lower energy pathway for conversion of reactants to products and vice-versa.

All substances that conduct electricity in aqueous solutions are called electrolytes. Acids,
bases and salts are electrolytes and the conduction of electricity by their aqueous solutions
is due to anions and cations produced by the dissociation or ionization of electrolytes
in aqueous solution. The strong electrolytes are completely dissociated. In weak electrolytes
there is equilibrium between the ions and the unionized electrolyte molecules. According to
Arrhenius, acids give hydrogen ions while bases produce hydroxyl ions in their aqueous
solutions. Brönsted-Lowry on the other hand, defined an acid as a proton donor and a base as
a proton acceptor. When a Brönsted-Lowry acid reacts with a base, it produces its conjugate
base and a conjugate acid corresponding to the base with which it reacts. Thus a conjugate
pair of acid-base differs only by one proton. Lewis further generalised the definition of an
acid as an electron pair acceptor and a base as an electron pair donor. The expressions
for ionization (equilibrium) constants of weak acids (Ka) and weak bases (Kb) are developed
using Arrhenius definition. The degree of ionization and its dependence on concentration and
common ion are discussed. The pH scale (pH = –log[H+]) for the hydrogen ion concentration
(activity) has been introduced and extended to other quantities (pOH = – log[OH–]); pKa = –log[Ka];
pKb = –log[Kb]; and pKw = –log[Kw] etc.). The ionization of water has been considered and we
note that the equation: pH + pOH = pKw is always satisfied. The salts of strong acid and
weak base, weak acid and strong base, and weak acid and weak base undergo hydrolysis in
aqueous solution. The definition of buffer solutions, and their importance are discussed
briefly. The solubility equilibrium of sparingly soluble salts is discussed and the equilibrium
constant is introduced as solubility product constant (Ksp). Its relationship with solubility
of the salt is established. The conditions of precipitation of the salt from their solutions
or their dissolution in water are worked out. The role of common ion and the solubility of
sparingly soluble salts is also discussed.

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 208 chemistry

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS REGARDING THIS UNIT

(a) The student may use pH paper in determining the pH of fresh juices of various vegetables
and fruits, soft drinks, body fluids and also that of water samples available.
(b) The pH paper may also be used to determine the pH of different salt solutions and from
that he/she may determine if these are formed from strong/weak acids and bases.
(c) They may prepare some buffer solutions by mixing the solutions of sodium acetate and
acetic acid and determine their pH using pH paper.
(d) They may be provided with different indicators to observe their colours in solutions of
varying pH.
(e) They may perform some acid-base titrations using indicators.
(f) They may observe common ion effect on the solubility of sparingly soluble salts.
(g) If pH meter is available in their school, they may measure the pH with it and compare
the results obtained with that of the pH paper.

EXERCISES

6.1 A liquid is in equilibrium with its vapour in a sealed container at a fixed temperature.
The volume of the container is suddenly increased.

a) What is the initial effect of the change on vapour pressure?

b) How do rates of evaporation and condensation change initially?

c) What happens when equilibrium is restored finally and what will be the final vapour
pressure?

6.2 What is Kc for the following equilibrium when the equilibrium concentration of each
substance is: [SO2]= 0.60M, [O2] = 0.82M and [SO3] = 1.90M ?

2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)

6.3 At a certain temperature and total pressure of 105Pa, iodine vapour contains 40% by
volume of I atoms

I2 (g) 2I (g)
Calculate Kp for the equilibrium.

6.4 Write the expression for the equilibrium constant, Kc for each of the following reactions:

(i) 2NOCl (g) 2NO (g) + Cl2 (g)

(ii) 2Cu(NO3)2 (s) 2CuO (s) + 4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
(iii) CH3COOC2H5(aq) + H2O(l) CH3COOH (aq) + C2H5OH (aq)
(iv) Fe3+ (aq) + 3OH– (aq) Fe(OH)3 (s)
(v) I2 (s) + 5F2 2IF5
6.5 Find out the value of Kc for each of the following equilibria from the value of Kp:

(i) 2NOCl (g) 2NO (g) + Cl2 (g); Kp= 1.8 × 10–2 at 500 K
(ii) CaCO3 (s) CaO(s) + CO2(g); Kp= 167 at 1073 K

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 EQUILIBRIUM 209

6.6 For the following equilibrium, Kc= 6.3 × 1014 at 1000 K

NO (g) + O3 (g) NO2 (g) + O2 (g)
Both the forward and reverse reactions in the equilibrium are elementary bimolecular
reactions. What is Kc, for the reverse reaction?
6.7 Explain why pure liquids and solids can be ignored while writing the equilibrium
constant expression?

6.8 Reaction between N2 and O2– takes place as follows:

2N2 (g) + O2 (g) 2N2O (g)
If a mixture of 0.482 mol N2 and 0.933 mol of O2 is placed in a 10 L reaction vessel
and allowed to form N2O at a temperature for which Kc= 2.0 × 10–37, determine the
composition of equilibrium mixture.

6.9 Nitric oxide reacts with Br2 and gives nitrosyl bromide as per reaction given below:
2NO (g) + Br2 (g) 2NOBr (g)
When 0.087 mol of NO and 0.0437 mol of Br2 are mixed in a closed container at
constant temperature, 0.0518 mol of NOBr is obtained at equilibrium. Calculate
equilibrium amount of NO and Br2 .

6.10 At 450K, Kp= 2.0 × 1010/bar for the given reaction at equilibrium.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3 (g)
What is Kc at this temperature ?

6.11 A sample of HI(g) is placed in flask at a pressure of 0.2 atm. At equilibrium the partial
pressure of HI(g) is 0.04 atm. What is Kp for the given equilibrium ?
2HI (g) H2 (g) + I2 (g)
6.12 A mixture of 1.57 mol of N2, 1.92 mol of H2 and 8.13 mol of NH3 is introduced into
a 20 L reaction vessel at 500 K. At this temperature, the equilibrium constant, Kc
for the reaction N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g) is 1.7 × 102. Is the reaction mixture at
equilibrium? If not, what is the direction of the net reaction?

6.13 The equilibrium constant expression for a gas reaction is,

NH3  O2 5
4

Kc 
NO4 H2O
6

Write the balanced chemical equation corresponding to this expression.

6.14 One mole of H2O and one mole of CO are taken in 10 L vessel and heated to
725 K. At equilibrium 40% of water (by mass) reacts with CO according to the equation,
H2O (g) + CO (g) H2 (g) + CO2 (g)
Calculate the equilibrium constant for the reaction.

6.15 At 700 K, equilibrium constant for the reaction:

H2 (g) + I2 (g) 2HI (g)
is 54.8. If 0.5 mol L of HI(g) is present at equilibrium at 700 K, what are the
–1

concentration of H2(g) and I2(g) assuming that we initially started with HI(g) and
allowed it to reach equilibrium at 700K?

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 210 chemistry

6.16 What is the equilibrium concentration of each of the substances in the equilibrium
when the initial concentration of ICl was 0.78 M ?
2ICl (g) I2 (g) + Cl2 (g); Kc = 0.14
6.17 Kp = 0.04 atm at 899 K for the equilibrium shown below. What is the equilibrium
concentration of C2H6 when it is placed in a flask at 4.0 atm pressure and allowed
to come to equilibrium?
C2H6 (g) C2H4 (g) + H2 (g)
6.18 Ethyl acetate is formed by the reaction between ethanol and acetic acid and the
equilibrium is represented as:
CH3COOH (l) + C2H5OH (l) CH3COOC2H5 (l) + H2O (l)
(i) Write the concentration ratio (reaction quotient), Qc, for this reaction (note: water
is not in excess and is not a solvent in this reaction)
(ii) At 293 K, if one starts with 1.00 mol of acetic acid and 0.18 mol of ethanol, there
is 0.171 mol of ethyl acetate in the final equilibrium mixture. Calculate the
equilibrium constant.
(iii) Starting with 0.5 mol of ethanol and 1.0 mol of acetic acid and maintaining it at
293 K, 0.214 mol of ethyl acetate is found after sometime. Has equilibrium been
reached?
6.19 A sample of pure PCl 5 was introduced into an evacuated vessel at 473
K. After equilibrium was attained, concentration of PCl 5 was found to be
0.5 × 10–1 mol L–1. If value of Kc is 8.3 × 10–3, what are the concentrations of PCl3 and
Cl2 at equilibrium?
PCl5 (g) PCl3 (g) + Cl2(g)
6.20 One of the reaction that takes place in producing steel from iron ore is the reduction
of iron(II) oxide by carbon monoxide to give iron metal and CO2.
FeO (s) + CO (g) Fe (s) + CO2 (g); Kp = 0.265 atm at 1050K

What are the equilibrium partial pressures of CO and CO2 at 1050 K if the initial
partial pressures are: pCO= 1.4 atm and = 0.80 atm?

6.21 Equilibrium constant, Kc for the reaction

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) 2NH3 (g) at 500 K is 0.061

At a particular time, the analysis shows that composition of the reaction mixture is
3.0 mol L–1 N2, 2.0 mol L–1 H2 and 0.5 mol L–1 NH3. Is the reaction at equilibrium? If
not in which direction does the reaction tend to proceed to reach equilibrium?

6.22 Bromine monochloride, BrCl decomposes into bromine and chlorine and reaches the
equilibrium:
2BrCl (g) Br2 (g) + Cl2 (g)

for which Kc= 32 at 500 K. If initially pure BrCl is present at a concentration of

3.3 × 10–3 mol L–1, what is its molar concentration in the mixture at equilibrium?

6.23 At 1127 K and 1 atm pressure, a gaseous mixture of CO and CO2 in equilibrium with
soild carbon has 90.55% CO by mass
C (s) + CO2 (g) 2CO (g)

Calculate Kc for this reaction at the above temperature.

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 EQUILIBRIUM 211

6.24 Calculate a) ∆G and b) the equilibrium constant for the formation of NO2 from NO
and O2 at 298K
NO (g) + ½ O2 (g) NO2 (g)
where
∆fG (NO2) = 52.0 kJ/mol
∆fG (NO) = 87.0 kJ/mol
∆fG (O2) = 0 kJ/mol
6.25 Does the number of moles of reaction products increase, decrease or remain same
when each of the following equilibria is subjected to a decrease in pressure by
increasing the volume?
(a) PCl5 (g) PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g)
(b) CaO (s) + CO2 (g) CaCO3 (s)
(c) 3Fe (s) + 4H2O (g) Fe3O4 (s) + 4H2 (g)
6.26 Which of the following reactions will get affected by increasing the pressure?
Also, mention whether change will cause the reaction to go into forward or
backward direction.
(i) COCl2 (g) CO (g) + Cl2 (g)
(ii) CH4 (g) + 2S2 (g) CS2 (g) + 2H2S (g)
(iii) CO2 (g) + C (s) 2CO (g)
(iv) 2H2 (g) + CO (g) CH3OH (g)
(v) CaCO3 (s) CaO (s) + CO2 (g)
(vi) 4 NH3 (g) + 5O2 (g) 4NO (g) + 6H2O(g)
6.27 The equilibrium constant for the following reaction is 1.6 ×105 at 1024K
H2(g) + Br2(g) 2HBr(g)
Find the equilibrium pressure of all gases if 10.0 bar of HBr is introduced into a
sealed container at 1024K.
6.28 Dihydrogen gas is obtained from natural gas by partial oxidation with steam as per
following endothermic reaction:
CH4 (g) + H2O (g) CO (g) + 3H2 (g)
(a) Write as expression for Kp for the above reaction.
(b) How will the values of Kp and composition of equilibrium mixture be
affected by
(i) increasing the pressure
(ii) increasing the temperature
(iii) using a catalyst?
6.29 Describe the effect of:
a) addition of H2
b) addition of CH3OH
c) removal of CO
d) removal of CH3OH
on the equilibrium of the reaction:
2H2(g) + CO (g) CH3OH (g)
6.30 At 473 K, equilibrium constant Kc for decomposition of phosphorus pentachloride,
PCl5 is 8.3 ×10-3. If decomposition is depicted as,

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 212 chemistry

PCl5 (g) PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g) ∆rH  = 124.0 kJ mol–1

a) write an expression for Kc for the reaction.
b) what is the value of Kc for the reverse reaction at the same temperature?
c) what would be the effect on Kc if (i) more PCl5 is added (ii) pressure is increased
(iii) the temperature is increased ?
6.31 Dihydrogen gas used in Haber’s process is produced by reacting methane from
natural gas with high temperature steam. The first stage of two stage reaction
involves the formation of CO and H2. In second stage, CO formed in first stage is
reacted with more steam in water gas shift reaction,
CO (g) + H2O (g) CO2 (g) + H2 (g)
If a reaction vessel at 400 °C is charged with an equimolar mixture of CO and steam
such that pco = pH O = 4.0 bar, what will be the partial pressure of H2 at equilibrium?
2
Kp= 10.1 at 400°C
6.32 Predict which of the following reaction will have appreciable concentration of reactants
and products:
a) Cl2 (g) 2Cl (g) Kc = 5 ×10–39
b) Cl2 (g) + 2NO (g) 2NOCl (g) Kc = 3.7 × 108
c) Cl2 (g) + 2NO2 (g) 2NO2Cl (g) Kc = 1.8
6.33 The value of Kc for the reaction 3O2 (g) 2O3 (g) is 2.0 ×10–50 at 25°C. If the
equilibrium concentration of O2 in air at 25°C is 1.6 ×10–2, what is the concentration
of O3?
6.34 The reaction, CO(g) + 3H2(g) CH4(g) + H2O(g)
is at equilibrium at 1300 K in a 1L flask. It also contain 0.30 mol of CO, 0.10 mol of
H2 and 0.02 mol of H2O and an unknown amount of CH4 in the flask. Determine the
concentration of CH4 in the mixture. The equilibrium constant, Kc for the reaction
at the given temperature is 3.90.
6.35 What is meant by the conjugate acid-base pair? Find the conjugate acid/base for
the following species:
HNO2, CN–, HClO4, F –, OH–, CO , and S2–
6.36 Which of the followings are Lewis acids? H2O, BF3, H+, and NH4+
6.37 What will be the conjugate bases for the Brönsted acids: HF, H2SO4 and HCO–3?
6.38 Write the conjugate acids for the following Brönsted bases: NH2–, NH3 and HCOO–.
6.39 The species: H2O, HCO3–, HSO4– and NH3 can act both as Brönsted acids and bases.
For each case give the corresponding conjugate acid and base.
6.40 Classify the following species into Lewis acids and Lewis bases and show how these
act as Lewis acid/base: (a) OH – (b) F – (c) H+ (d) BCl3 .
6.41 The concentration of hydrogen ion in a sample of soft drink is 3.8 × 10–3 M. What is
its pH?
6.42 The pH of a sample of vinegar is 3.76. Calculate the concentration of hydrogen ion
in it.
6.43 The ionization constant of HF, HCOOH and HCN at 298K are 6.8 × 10 –4,
1.8 × 10–4 and 4.8 × 10–9 respectively. Calculate the ionization constants of the
corresponding conjugate base.

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 EQUILIBRIUM 213

6.44 The ionization constant of phenol is 1.0 × 10–10. What is the concentration of phenolate
ion in 0.05 M solution of phenol? What will be its degree of ionization if the solution
is also 0.01M in sodium phenolate?
6.45 The first ionization constant of H2S is 9.1 × 10–8. Calculate the concentration
of HS– ion in its 0.1M solution. How will this concentration be affected if the
solution is 0.1M in HCl also? If the second dissociation constant of H 2S is
1.2 × 10–13, calculate the concentration of S2– under both conditions.
6.46 The ionization constant of acetic acid is 1.74 × 10–5. Calculate the degree of
dissociation of acetic acid in its 0.05 M solution. Calculate the concentration of
acetate ion in the solution and its pH.
6.47 It has been found that the pH of a 0.01M solution of an organic acid is 4.15. Calculate
the concentration of the anion, the ionization constant of the acid and its pKa.
6.48 Assuming complete dissociation, calculate the pH of the following solutions:
(a) 0.003 M HCl (b) 0.005 M NaOH (c) 0.002 M HBr (d) 0.002 M KOH
6.49 Calculate the pH of the following solutions:
a) 2 g of TlOH dissolved in water to give 2 litre of solution.
b) 0.3 g of Ca(OH)2 dissolved in water to give 500 mL of solution.
c) 0.3 g of NaOH dissolved in water to give 200 mL of solution.
d) 1mL of 13.6 M HCl is diluted with water to give 1 litre of solution.
6.50 The degree of ionization of a 0.1M bromoacetic acid solution is 0.132. Calculate the
pH of the solution and the pKa of bromoacetic acid.
6.51 The pH of 0.005M codeine (C18H21NO3) solution is 9.95. Calculate its ionization
constant and pKb.
6.52 What is the pH of 0.001M aniline solution? The ionization constant of aniline
can be taken from Table 6.7. Calculate the degree of ionization of aniline in the
solution. Also calculate the ionization constant of the conjugate acid of aniline.
6.53 Calculate the degree of ionization of 0.05M acetic acid if its pKa value is 4.74.
How is the degree of dissociation affected when its solution also contains
(a) 0.01M (b) 0.1M in HCl ?
6.54 The ionization constant of dimethylamine is 5.4 × 10–4. Calculate its degree of
ionization in its 0.02M solution. What percentage of dimethylamine is ionized if the
solution is also 0.1M in NaOH?
6.55 Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration in the following biological fluids whose
pH are given below:
(a) Human muscle-fluid, 6.83 (b) Human stomach fluid, 1.2
(c) Human blood, 7.38 (d) Human saliva, 6.4.
6.56 The pH of milk, black coffee, tomato juice, lemon juice and egg white are 6.8, 5.0,
4.2, 2.2 and 7.8 respectively. Calculate corresponding hydrogen ion concentration
in each.
6.57 If 0.561 g of KOH is dissolved in water to give 200 mL of solution at 298 K. Calculate
the concentrations of potassium, hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. What is its pH?
6.58 The solubility of Sr(OH)2 at 298 K is 19.23 g/L of solution. Calculate the concentrations
of strontium and hydroxyl ions and the pH of the solution.

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 214 chemistry

6.59 The ionization constant of propanoic acid is 1.32 × 10–5. Calculate the degree of
ionization of the acid in its 0.05M solution and also its pH. What will be its degree
of ionization if the solution is 0.01M in HCl also?
6.60 The pH of 0.1M solution of cyanic acid (HCNO) is 2.34. Calculate the ionization
constant of the acid and its degree of ionization in the solution.
6.61 The ionization constant of nitrous acid is 4.5 × 10–4. Calculate the pH of 0.04 M
sodium nitrite solution and also its degree of hydrolysis.
6.62 A 0.02M solution of pyridinium hydrochloride has pH = 3.44. Calculate the ionization
constant of pyridine.
6.63 Predict if the solutions of the following salts are neutral, acidic or basic:
NaCl, KBr, NaCN, NH4NO3, NaNO2 and KF
6.64 The ionization constant of chloroacetic acid is 1.35 × 10–3. What will be the pH of
0.1M acid and its 0.1M sodium salt solution?
6.65 Ionic product of water at 310 K is 2.7 × 10–14. What is the pH of neutral water at
this temperature?
6.66 Calculate the pH of the resultant mixtures:
a) 10 mL of 0.2M Ca(OH)2 + 25 mL of 0.1M HCl
b) 10 mL of 0.01M H2SO4 + 10 mL of 0.01M Ca(OH)2
c) 10 mL of 0.1M H2SO4 + 10 mL of 0.1M KOH
6.67 Determine the solubilities of silver chromate, barium chromate, ferric hydroxide,
lead chloride and mercurous iodide at 298K from their solubility product constants
given in Table 6.9. Determine also the molarities of individual ions.
6.68 The solubility product constant of Ag 2CrO 4 and AgBr are 1.1 × 10 –12 and
5.0 × 10–13 respectively. Calculate the ratio of the molarities of their saturated
solutions.
6.69 Equal volumes of 0.002 M solutions of sodium iodate and cupric chlorate are
mixed together. Will it lead to precipitation of copper iodate? (For cupric iodate
Ksp = 7.4 × 10–8 ).
6.70 The ionization constant of benzoic acid is 6.46 × 10–5 and Ksp for silver benzoate is
2.5 × 10–13. How many times is silver benzoate more soluble in a buffer of pH 3.19
compared to its solubility in pure water?
6.71 What is the maximum concentration of equimolar solutions of ferrous sulphate and
sodium sulphide so that when mixed in equal volumes, there is no precipitation of
iron sulphide? (For iron sulphide, Ksp = 6.3 × 10–18).
6.72 What is the minimum volume of water required to dissolve 1g of calcium sulphate
at 298 K? (For calcium sulphate, Ksp is 9.1 × 10–6).
6.73 The concentration of sulphide ion in 0.1M HCl solution saturated with hydrogen
sulphide is 1.0 × 10–19 M. If 10 mL of this is added to 5 mL of 0.04 M solution of the
following: FeSO4, MnCl2, ZnCl2 and CdCl2. in which of these solutions precipitation
will take place?

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